Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Expect natural wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes. Watch for recent avalanches, rollerballs, and moist snow as indicators. Give yourself options to move to lower-angle and more shaded slopes if wet avalanches become a concern. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wet avalanches will run naturally as the day warms. Expect them primarily on east through south through west aspects. You may still be able to trigger loose dry avalanches on shaded, northerly slopes and higher elevations. Pay attention to how much the surface snow is warming and anticipate that the surface will be more moist on due solar aspects and steeper slopes. A handful of wet avalanches occurred on Tuesday, and we anticipate more to come.

    (4/4/2023)

    Natural wet avalanches, up to D1.5, occurred on steep, sunny slopes on 4/4. Lichtenberg Mtn, SE.

    Photo: John Meriwether

Avalanche Discussion

On Tuesday, a small round of natural wet avalanches (up to D1.5) occurred on steep southerly slopes. Over the weekend, observations focused on loose dry avalanches and wind-affected slopes at upper elevations. Observers on Jim Hill found buried surface hour about 1 foot below the surface at the 3/31 interface. On Saturday, there was a round of small avalanches in storm snow and on leeward, wind-loaded slopes. Observers reported finding wide but small natural avalanches in the backcountry adjacent to Stevens Pass Resort and were able to trigger small wind slabs. Westerly winds drifted the 7" of snow that fell on the 31st. Now, you may find up to 1 ft of recent snow over a stout crust from the 31st. 

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