Stevens Pass

Strong sun and warming temperatures may create loose wet avalanche danger on south-facing slopes in the afternoon. Use normal caution, and move off of steep slopes if you begin to sink into wet snow deeper than your ankle. Small and isolated wind slabs could be triggered on high, north facing terrain.

The pass picked up about 2" of snow on Sunday night. The new snow fell on well-developed crust on east, south, and west aspects, and all aspects at lower elevation. North facing slopes at upper elevation still harbor agreeable riding conditions, with a mix of soft settled powder and wind-affected surfaces. Although the avalanche danger is Low, keep the following on your mind throughout the day:

1. The sun will soften surface crusts, and could also create small loose wet avalanches. Time your travels to avoid steeper slopes that face the sun later in the day. Once you begin to sink into the snow surface past your ankle, it's time to move on to a different aspect or less consequential slopes. Look for rollerballs and fresh, fan shaped avalanches as signs of these.

2. Observers reported cornice fall last week, and more recently in other zones. There are also a number of glide cracks opening up. Keep these unlikely hazards in mind as you enter bigger or more complex terrain.

3. There may be just enough new snow and wind for isolated wind slab avalanches in upper elevation terrain. Steer around areas that appear loaded and deeper on steep and consequential slopes. You can use small, wind loaded test slopes to check how the new snow is bonding to older surfaces. 

While deep persistent slab avalanches are dormant and unlikely, the snowpack structure can still be found in the zone. The mid-January crust-facet layer is now 8-9 feet below the surface and shows signs of strengthening. The last known deep slab avalanche in this zone was on March 1, and one was suspected in the West South zone on March 3. Major warming events later in spring and summer could trigger further rounds of avalanches on this layer. 

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.