Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warm temperatures and strong sun will create uniquely dangerous avalanche conditions. Time your travel to be off of steep, sunny slopes before the sun triggers wet avalanches. If you see signs of avalanches big enough to bury a person, your safest option may be to avoid avalanche terrain altogether. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wednesday will be a uniquely dangerous day for wet avalanches. We know that they will occur naturally, but we're uncertain how many will be large. Choose terrain with plenty of options that allow you to easily avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees, if necessary.

    Expect rapid warming and the first extended period of full sun on the heels of a cold and windy storm. Natural wet avalanches will start on east aspects in the morning and move around to the west aspects later in the day. If avalanches gouge deeply into the recent snow, they could become large and dangerous. Signs of warming are moist, sticky surfaces and moist snow falling out of the trees. Indicators that wet loose avalanches could occur include rollerballs and other wet avalanches. If you see these, move to more shaded or northerly aspects or slopes less than 35 degrees.  

    (4/1/2022)

    Skiers triggered wet loose avalanches on the SW face of Lichtenberg on 4/1.

    Photo: Public obs

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Use caution on leeward slopes 35 degrees and steeper where the wind drifted stiffer slabs of snow. Stick to areas that were sheltered from the wind or less than 35 degrees. Stay well out from under cornices and avoid walking on them. Recent avalanches, cracks shooting through the snow, stiffer snow, and active wind transported snow are all signs that you should avoid avalanche terrain.

    An intense storm delivered 3 feet of snow with strong to extreme westerly winds forming fresh slabs through Tuesday. While storm interfaces are bonding, you may still be able to trigger avalanches in wind-loaded terrain. Cornices could fall and trigger slides, especially as the sun shines on them. 

    (4/5/2022) Crisp cornices and wind from westerly wind at the top of Highlands Bowl. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

On Tuesday, forecaster Irene Heninger and I traveled in the Stevens Pass side-country. We found fresh cornices and wind features that were easy to trigger. The storm snow was gaining strength, tho strong over weak layering could still be found about 1.5 feet below the surface. Stevens Pass patrol had triggered numerous avalanches with explosives involving all of the storm snow, including crowns up to 3 feet deep in wind-loaded terrain. On Monday, forecaster Katie Warren and I traveled to the Skyline Lake area. We triggered 3-4 small avalanches (see video below) and found notable hard-over-soft layering in the storm snow. Winds were strong to extreme with intense blowing snow even in open areas below treeline. If you're in the mountains, submit an observation and let us know what you see.

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