Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Expect natural and triggered wet avalanches on steep, and especially sun-exposed slopes. Avalanches could be big enough to bury or kill you at upper elevations. Strong sun and warm temperatures will melt and weaken recent snow on many slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Expect a round of natural and triggered wet avalanches, especially on steep, sunny E-S-W aspects. Watch for snow surfaces becoming weak and sliding easily as slopes get prolonged sun.  Be aware of avalanches coming down from steep slopes above you. Use quick informal tests on small test slopes to check how easily the snow slides before committing to larger terrain. Stay away from sunny slopes 40 degrees and steeper containing terrain traps like, rocks, trees, and gullies. Even a small slide in this terrain could be enough to injure or kill you. You can stay safe by choosing lower-angled or colder, more shaded slopes.

     Wet avalanches will mainly be driven by strong sun weakening the recent snow that accumulated by Friday. Very warm temperatures will keep avalanches on the map for some shaded, northerly aspects, as well. The majority of wet avalanches will be loose and small, though some could be big enough to bury or kill you in bigger terrain features. You may find areas of weak, wet, and unsupportive snow at low elevations and around trees or rocks. These areas could present a travel hazard of falling into holes and could result in a host of wet avalanches. Some prominent rock slabs still hold snow and could slide with the ongoing warm temperatures. The low likelihood of a glide avalanche could hold serious consequences.

     

    (1/21/2022)

    Wet loose avalanches ran on the 21st on a southerly aspect near the Wellington area at Stevens Pass.

    Photo: Brian Murphy

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for triggering avalanches in recently drifted slabs of snow on leeward sides of ridges. While you may find small drifts near treeline, these avalanches will be easiest to trigger and biggest above treeline. Steer around thicker drifts and pillows of snow on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. You can avoid triggering these avalanches by sticking to lower-angled slopes, lower elevation terrain, or ridges and wind-scoured areas.

     

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, observers near the top of Stevens Pass reported up to 10" of new snow and small drifts near ridge tops. They reported roller balls and a few small wet loose avalanches on very steep southerly slopes. The sun was strong, but cooler temperatures kept snow surfaces from weakening significantly.  Many sunny slopes formed a thin crust. At higher elevations near Jim Hill, an observe found signs of recent wind drifting and wind slabs avalanche conditions.

Regions covered