Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes in direct sun. Cooler temperatures and wind should limit avalanche danger above treeline. If you begin to sink into snow surfaces deeper than your boot with wet and punchy snow, or if you notice fresh avalanche activity then it's time to move away from steeper slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    As the daytime warms up and the sun gets stronger, look for indicators of wet activity such as moist surface snow, rollerballs, and recent fan-shaped avalanches. Once you notice these, or if you begin to sink into wet snow deeper than your boot top, its time move off of steep slopes. You may be more likely to run into wet avalanches on steep east aspects, along with south to west facing slopes later in the day. Loose wet slides could grow larger and more dangerous if they gouge down into older snow (see photo of large avalanche on Lichtenberg). Be especially cautious around any sustained steep slopes and near terrain traps such as cliffs and strainers later in the day.

    You may be less likely to trigger wet loose avalanches above treeline with the colder temperatures and wind. However, be sure to give cornices plenty of room when traveling on ridges and stay out from underneath them. 

    (3/31/2021) A large wet loose avalanche ran naturally off a steep south facing slope on Lichtenberg on Wednesday. It appeared to gouge into older layers.

Avalanche Discussion

Colder temperatures overnight into Friday should start the day with thicker crusts on the surface, but sunshine may begin to melt these down as the daytime warms up. Expect to find melt freeze crusts on all aspects but directly north-facing slopes, where dry snow may still be encountered. Wednesday and Thursday were both very warm days, and loose wet slides were easily triggered on east and south facing slopes by mid day. I observed many small wet loose avalanches along with one large wet loose avalanche on Lichtenberg that ran on Wednesday. See photo below and observation. This one gouged down into older snow layers, and even had a couple small trees in the debris pile. The last storm ended on Monday, and left about 15" of new snow on the pass.

The snowpack is generally strong and well settled, although a layer of facets above a crust from mid-January created widespread deep slab avalanches through February. While the last activity we know of on this layer was March 1, it is worth keeping on your mind as we transition into spring. On Sunday, Josh Hirshberg dug a profile on SE, 5,400ft almost 7 feet down to this persistent weak layer. While the grains have rounded quite a bit, the layer is still notably weaker than the adjacent layers. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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