Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Expect increasing danger as the day progresses, with gusty winds and quickly accumulating new snow. Danger could rise to Considerable by late afternoon for higher elevations. Look for signs of instability like shooting cracks or sensitive drifts, and steer around consequential slopes with similar characteristics if you find it. It's still thin out there, so travel cautiously as trees and rocks could be hidden beneath the snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A front will bring a decent burst of snowfall and moderate to strong southwest to westerly winds to the pass on Friday. These winds should quickly drift what could be 4-9" of new snow around at mid and upper elevations. A couple of key points are that danger will be increasing as the day progresses, and danger should increase as you gain elevation. It's a bit of an unknown how the new snow will bond to underlying layers once slabs begin to form, but we'd expect them to become easier to trigger later in the afternoon.

    Throughout the day keep tabs on how much new snow has fallen. Do quick tests like hand pits and kick turn tests to see how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces. Look for visual clues to wind slabs such as sharp wind drifts and active blowing snow. West through North through East facing slopes may be more reactive, as new snow may be resting on a layer of surface hoar on a thin crust. If you find signs of instability like shooting cracks, or sensitive wind drifts then steer away from steep slopes with similar characteristics. 

    Example wind slab from mid elevations.

    Photo: Griffin M

Avalanche Discussion

We're about as excited as anyone that we're about to pick up some more snow. It's about time. However, it's times like this that a heuristic may come into play- scarcity? With increasing danger during the day, consider taking a short pause every now and then and checking in with what the snowpack tells you, and with your partners.

The snow surface that's about to get buried is a mix of melt freeze crusts on slopes that pick up direct sun, and a thin rain crust sometimes capped with large surface hoar on shaded or sheltered slopes. Regarding the ladder, we have a few reports of surface hoar on a thin crust from areas near the pass. Theres also a weaker snow layer right beneth a fragile rain crust on shaded slopes. 

Although travel conditions are improving, various types of breakable crust are still quite prevalent or at least will be early in the day. In many places coverage is still thin, and theres plenty of brush to contend with off the trails. Beware of open or disguised creeks, rocks and stumps out there.

Stevens Pass Ski Area is open. Check uphill policies HERE. You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE. 

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