Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches where the wind builds fresh slabs near and above treeline. Steer around pillows of snow and drifts on steep roll-overs. You can avoid the danger completely be sticking to lower elevations and wind-sheltered terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    You can trigger wind slab avalanches just below near treeline ridges and on steep features at the highest elevations. While winds will be dropping off on Tuesday, observers reported fresh slabs and blowing snow over the past two days. Watch for blowing snow and wind features to point towards the slopes prone to these avalanches. To avoid these avalanches, you can steer around drifted pillows, stick to scoured or wind-sheltered terrain, or travel on slopes less than 35 degrees. 

    (1/22/2023)

    A very shallow wind slab avalanche ran on the MLK crust. Henry Creek clearcut.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

On Monday, observers on Arrowhead mountain reported moderate winds (with higher winds at upper elevations) and consistent blowing snow. They also found some weak snow developing adjacent to the MLK crust. On Sunday, observers triggered small wind slab avalanches in newly formed drifts. Stevens Pass Patrol triggered a slide (D1.5) in the notorious wind funnel of Gemini Pass. An observer in the Henry Creek clear-cuts was able to trigger very shallow slab avalanches that ran on the MLK crust in wind-exposed terrain below treeline. 

The January 4th buried surface hoar can be found about 1-2 feet below the surface of the snow. On the 19th, skiers triggered a large avalanche 1-2 feet deep on Jim Hill. While the January 4th surface hoar has been found in a few other locations, it's otherwise been inactive and difficult to find in this zone. The most likely areas to find the layer would be between about 5,800-6,500ft in wind-sheltered terrain. In the neighboring East Central zone, there have been multiple observations including large natural avalanches running on this layer. Currently, avalanches on persistent weak layers are unlikely.

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