Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

New snow and wind will maintain a chance that you can trigger large avalanches on deeply buried weak layers at upper-elevation terrain. You may also be able to trigger small avalanches in similar terrain, where the wind forms fresh drifts of snow. The avalanche danger will increase on Sunday night.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Avalanches that run on deeply buried weak layers could be 3-4ft deep and can propagate widely across the slope. You won't get signs of instability before triggering one, as the layer is too deep. Your best bet is to remain aware of the terrain around you, staying out of complex alpine terrain and off of steep, unsupported, or wind-loaded slopes.  

    The weak snowpack structure has been slow to gain strength. You can find a thin layer of softer facets over a hard crust, about 3-4 feet below the surface. This layering (and the likelihood of triggering avalanches) is most pronounced at upper elevations (above 5,800ft) and further east in the zone. On Tuesday, a skier was buried in a large avalanche that likely ran on the early February facet/crust layer on Jim Hill. See the photo here and more details below.

    (3/5/2024)

    A large triggered slab avalanche likely ran just above the early February crust. A skier was fully buried and quickly dug out by his partners, resulting in minor injuries.  Jim Hill, W, 6,500ft. 

    Photo: Nate Hough-Snee

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for blowing snow and freshly formed, shallow drifts. Avalanches will be easiest to trigger at upper elevations and immediately on the leeward sides of ridges. While you can easily steer around these small, fresh drifts, you'll need to avoid triggering the much more dangerous deep persistent slab avalanches. You can trigger these two types of avalanches in similar terrain.

    (3/1/2024)

    The crown of a large (D2) natural avalanche that ran in wind drifted storm snow around February 25th.

    Windy Ridge, E, 5,300ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC is devastated to report the death of one of our Avalanche Forecasters, Matt Primomo. Tragically, Matt passed away in a non-avalanche accident away from work on Thursday, March 7th. Matt has been a key member of the NWAC family since 2017. His life in the mountains touched so many people. We are absolutely heartbroken. Please join us as we mourn this immense loss with Matt’s family, friends, and community.

 

Discussion:

A weak storm is forming the next set of layers in the snowpack. This snow is likely burying a range of crusts, facets, and possibly surface hoar. Observers reported crusts and wet loose avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes this week. Since mid-week, avalanches and signs of instability on persistent weak layers have slowed.

A party of three skiers triggered a deep persistent slab avalanche on March 5th on the summit pyramid of Jim Hill, a NW aspect at 6,500ft. The avalanche 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 formed crusts on steep, southerly slopes in the past few days.

On the 3rd, 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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