Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Cooling temperatures and light snow with strong winds will leave the Stevens Pass zone with minimal concerns for avalanches.  If you venture above 6,000ft, watch for triggering avalanches in very shallow drifts of snow. You may see small rollerballs or wet snow on sun-exposed slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While not a major hazard, you may be able to trigger very small avalanches in shallow drifts of snow at the highest elevations. Steer around freshly drifted slabs on slopes over 35 degrees. A couple of inches of new snow and strong winds will form fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. 

    (3/1/2024)

    An example of a natural avalanche that ran in wind-drifted storm snow around February 25th.

    Windy Ridge, E, 5,300ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures will drop by early Wednesday morning. After a light dusting of overnight snow (and rain at low elevations), you can expect mostly cloudy skies. The strong April sun will likely sneak through the clouds to warm sun-exposed slopes a bit. While you may see rollerballs on steep mid to upper-elevation slopes, there won't be enough new snow for wet avalanches of consequence.

Wet avalanches cover many slopes from sun and warming over the past week. Steep sun-exposed slopes up to mid-elevations have seen water throughout much of the snowpack. While temperatures will be dropping, it may take some time for slopes to form a solid freeze.

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