Bulletin d’avalanche

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Tue
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 8 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

You may be able to trigger avalanches in new snow on slopes over 35 degrees and especially at upper elevations and near the Cascade Crest, where the wind forms drifts. Use test slopes to check how easily the recent snow slides, and choose wind-sheltered terrain or low-angle slopes if you see signs of instability. Due to limited information, access, and resources, keep your travel and terrain selection conservative.

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1–2

    Avalanches are most likely at upper elevations and on leeward slopes where you find recent wind-loading. You may also be able to trigger avalanches in the recent snow on wind-sheltered slopes above 5,000ft. You can reduce the risk of an avalanche by sticking to low-angle slopes, under 35 degrees, and especially beneath corniced ridgelines and in drifted, wind-loaded terrain. 

    Watch for "red-flag" signs of instability, such as recent avalanches, blowing snow, and cracks shooting through the snow. Use quick tests to check how easily the upper 2 feet of snow behaves. Daytime warming could make the snow more cohesive. If it slides easily, especially on a crust, consider this another "red flag" sign. We expect another 3" of snow with enough wind to drift snow at upper elevations. 

    (12/20/2025) An example of a simple "switchback test." This cut corner produced a long crack that "popped with energy." Snoqualmie Pass, Alpental Valley

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday, observers reported 1 foot of new snow in the past 24 hours with little accumulation during the day. On Saturday, highway and ski area workers found 1.5-2 feet of recent snow over a crust from December 18th. Further east of the zone, observers in the Little Wenatchee drainage, Round Mtn, and Dirty Face Mtn report 1.5-2 feet of recent snow over the crust. At upper elevations, we expect more storm totals and recent wind drifts. 

Access to the Stevens Pass zone is closed via both sides of Highway 2. Information is very limited. When you add recent power outages and bare bones observations, we have very limited information about the snowpack. To mitigate this increased uncertainty, make frequent observations using quick hand-pit tests and take extra time before entering larger terrain.

Flooding, washouts, downed trees, and damage to major roads have been more imminent concerns than avalanches. A recent pattern shift toward colder, snowier weather has begun to fill in our low and mid-elevation terrain, and move our concerns to the usual winter hazards. Please be patient as WSDOT crews work to reopen the highway.

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

Régions couvertes