Stevens Pass

Avalanches are unlikely. On Monday, temperatures will be cooler with clearing near and west of the pass.  You may see rollerballs and moist snow on steep, sunny slopes, especially at upper elevations.

Happy New Year! Here's hoping 2024 will bring more snow and safe backcountry travel.

You could see some moist snow and rollerballs on steep, sunny slopes. While unlikely, there's a slight chance for small, loose avalanches on steep, sunny slopes that previously stayed dry at upper elevations. Expect more sun near and west of Stevens Pass. Low clouds will hug the valleys to the east and could advance to the pass. Also, there's uncertainty in the snowpack structure above 6,000ft, as we have little information from upper elevations.

A dusting of light snow accumulated on Sunday over another recent crust. Observers reported small rollerballs on steep sunny slopes near Skyline Lake. This came on the heels of a few days of very warm temperatures and warming snow surfaces. Upper elevation slopes may have escaped the warm temperatures and Saturday's light rain, enough to stay dry. 

A couple of rounds of easterly winds occurred earlier this week. Observers reported small avalanches on the 27th and instabilities that resolved within a few days. On most slopes, expect about a foot of storm snow resting on thin crusts from the third week in December. Observers have reported weaker, sugary snow beneath or in between these crusts. This structure is somewhat widespread around the region, though hasn't been problematic for avalanches. However, some tests have shown potential for propagation, so it's worth knowing about.  Travel conditions and coverage are still thin but possible in middle and upper elevations. Beware of hitting exposed rocks, stumps, and creeks, especially at lower elevations. 

You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE.