Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

You can still trigger deep persistent slab avalanches in steep, upper elevation terrain. Identify and avoid heavily wind-loaded features above 5,800ft. There's a chance of wet loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–2.5

    The heavy snow and wind loading from the last weak has continued to stress a deeper weak structure. These layers consist of facets and crusts buried in early February or mid February. Avalanches that run on these layers can grow to become very large, as they're 3-4ft deep and can propagate widely across the slope. You won't get signs of instability before triggering one, as the layer is just too deep. Snowpack tests can identify the layers, but have become inconsistent from one slope to the next. You're best bet is to remain aware of the terrain around you, staying out of complex alpine terrain and off steep unsupported, or heavily wind drifted slopes. 

    This problem is more pronounced at upper elevations, and further east in the zone. Tuesdays large avalanche shows that they can still be triggered. 

    (3/5/2024)

    A large rider triggered deep slab on a W aspect of Jim Hill at 6,500ft. 

    Photo: Nate Hough-Snee

Avalanche Discussion

We're in for yet another beautiful day with increasing clouds and southeast wind.

A party of three skiers triggered a deep persistent slab on Tuesday on the summit pyramid of Jim Hill, a NW aspect at 6,500ft. The slab was approximately 100ft wide and 3ft deep and carried one skier approximately 200ft down the slope. The skier was fully buried but recovered within a couple of minutes with a minor injury. The strengthening March sunshine is starting to have more of an effect on snow surfaces. Plan your day to move away from slopes in direct sun, and keep checking for moistening snow surfaces as the day progresses. Since the 24th, the Stevens Pass area has received about 5" of water equivalent, and the snowpack gained 3-4 feet. 

On Sunday, forecasters investigated an older D2.5 (large) avalanche on Jim Hill at 6,200ft, NE. It failed on the weak, faceted snow above the Early February Crust. On the 1st,  forecasters near Skyline Lake found a crust/weak layer just below the February 24th interface that showed a high potential for propagation.  

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