Stevens Pass
Pericolo valanghe
In sintesi
Expect another sunny day with cooler temperatures and easterly wind on Saturday. While avalanche conditions are generally safe, remember that both wind slab and wet avalanches were recently a concern. Travel will be variable with firm, slick snow surfaces on sunny slopes and shallow coverage below 4000ft.
Avalanche Discussion
Overall, avalanches are unlikely on Saturday. On steep, south-facing slopes, there may be a chance for small wet avalanches. Wind slab avalanches had been possible at upper elevations earlier in the week. While the avalanche danger has eased, it's important to keep these recent concerns in mind. Sun, east wind, and, weakening surfaces on shaded slopes have been the norm for the past few days. You can expect these conditions to continue. Slightly cooler temperatures and wind should keep sunny slopes from softening as much as they did on Friday. Keep an eye on the surface of shaded slopes for weak snow that could be buried by the next storm. Observers have reported widespread surface hoar and faceting on the surface.
On Wednesday, strong east winds drifted snow in open terrain, especially at upper elevations. The same day, an observer reported avalanches in wind-exposed terrain on Jove Peak. On Tuesday, an observer reported a large collapse on a windslab below treeline near Skyline Ridge. A storm on the 30th brought 8-10 inches of snow, and in isolated places, buried surface hoar. While we've found these weak grains in isolated locations, they haven't proven to be a problematic layer.
While the snowpack around the Pass is impressive for the beginning of December (40-60”/105-150cm), plenty of early-season obstacles still exist. Watch for open creeks, buried logs, and numerous small trees that may block your path.
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.