Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Sunday, you could trigger wet avalanches on steep, open slopes. Use caution where a slide could push you into consequential features like cliffs or trees. Check the upper snowpack to see how moist or frozen the snow is and how easily it slides. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet avalanches will be most likely in steep, open terrain where the recent snow is on a smooth crust. Use caution on very steep slopes where a small avalanche could push you into terrain traps like rocks, trees, or creeks. Check how easily the new and recent snow slides as you move through the mountains. It may be difficult to trigger these avalanches on many slopes that lack sufficient snow, where surfaces are really rough, or where the recent snow is frozen.

    (1/29/2026)

    A large roller ball in moist new snow. This is a sign that you can trigger wet avalanches. Lake Josephine, 5,400ft, NW

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday will have dynamic conditions, but the range of possible snow conditions won't greatly impact the avalanche danger. You can expect 3-4" of snow during the day, falling with relatively warm temperatures. If you manage to get to upper elevations, keep dry slab avalanches in mind. They will likely not be of consequence, aside from possibly around 7,000ft. The 6-8" recent snow may be partially frozen after being moist for a couple of days. Check to see how all this recent snow slides on the underlying crust that was buried on the 28th, and can be found within a foot of the surface.

Thursday through Saturday brought additional precipitation and warming to the Stevens Pass zone.  We're uncertain about upper elevations, but we suspect that at the highest slopes, you may be able to trigger shallow slab avalanches in the recent snow. 

On Thursday, NWAC Forecasters and other observers reported widespread rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches in very steep terrain. The recent snow fell on various old January drought interfaces, including firm, slick crusts. Under the tree canopy, surfaces are rough, icy, and variable. On northwest through northeast aspects around 5,000ft, the drought interface is a thin crust with weak faceted snow beneath. With minimal snow over this weak structure, it's not a concern for avalanches at this time.

Snow depths vary due to the lack of snow during January. Particularly on sunny slopes, you can find less than 3 feet of snow and patches of bare ground.  You can expect deeper coverage on the north half of the compass, with 6-8 feet of snow on the ground above 5,000ft. The mountains feature plenty of open holes, creeks, and exposed rocks. 

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