Stevens Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineModerate to strong ridgeline winds could drift soft, fresh snow and build slabs. Avoid steep slopes accumulating wind-drifted snow and stay alert to how the sun and warming are making new snow layers wet and unstable.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 16, 2026
7000-6000ft3 - Considerable
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft2 - Moderate
Friday, April 17, 2026
7000-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low | 2 - Moderate | 3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Avalanche Problems (2)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(1/4/2026)
If the winds really pick up, drifting snow will make it pretty obvious which slopes to avoid.
Photo: Will Govus
Westerly winds are expected near the Cascade Crest, through Stevens Pass, and in exposed alpine terrain. With plenty of soft, dry snow available for transport, fresh wind slabs should start building any place that sees sustained moderate to strong winds. The greatest danger will be on leeward slopes actively accumulating drifted snow.
Pay attention to new snow depth and stiffness as you gain elevation and change aspects. Use simple tests like hand shears or stomp on tiny cornices or other wind-drifted features to test reactivity. The safest move will be to avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes by choosing lower-angle, less wind-loaded terrain.
You may also find lingering reactivity in layers of new snow in wind-sheltered areas, especially as the sun appears and temperatures rise.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/4/2026)
Test slopes work for some types of wet-snow avalanches, as well as for storm and wind slabs.
Photo: Katie Warren
Cloud cover on Thursday is uncertain, but if the sun comes out, expect wet loose avalanche activity to increase. More sun and slightly warmer temperatures will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches, with larger avalanches possible on long fall-line slopes or in big alpine terrain.
Track changes in sky cover and surface conditions throughout the day. Sticky or moist new snow, rollerballs, pinwheels, and fresh loose avalanches are clear signs that the snow is becoming unstable. If you see any of the previously listed signs of instability, scale back your exposure to steep sun-exposed terrain and avoid spending time below slopes that are heating up.
Forecast Discussion
A mid-April storm brought a return to winter conditions at Stevens Pass, with 12–16 inches of new snow falling on crust or wet snow from the recent warm-up. The snow settled quickly, and slab avalanche activity appeared limited, with only isolated reports of small slabs on very steep terrain. A natural cycle loose dry avalanches likely occurred during and just after the storm.
No obs came in from Stevens Pass on Thursday. Web cams showed sky cover was generally cloudy, but recent trends suggest the snow surface is sensitive to even brief warming. Prior sun breaks were enough to produce wet loose activity on solar aspects, with snow becoming moist and heavy below about 5,000 feet.
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.