Stevens Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Katie Warren
Issued: Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineAnother hot, spring day is in store, and you could trigger wet avalanches on most steep slopes. Rollerballs or wet snow that slides easily are your first sign to move to lower-angle terrain. Avalanches will likely be small, but could come down naturally from above, so don't linger beneath steep rocks and cliffs.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, April 5, 2026
7000-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft2 - Moderate
Monday, April 6, 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 (1)
Problem #1: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/4/2026)
Steep, but small, test slopes like this one are good for observing how easily wet snow slides. In this case, on Saturday, very easily.
Photo: Katie Warren
Saturday was warm, but Sunday will crank up the temperature even more. Wet avalanches may be easy to trigger and run on underlying slick crusts. While loose avalanches will be shallow and predictable, they could pick up significant debris and still be dangerous if they catch you off guard. Use small test slopes to see how easily the snow slides before committing to bigger terrain. Use caution near terrain traps, where an avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, or gullies. Travel one at a time and stop out from under steep slopes where others are traveling.
As we enter spring, unpredictable wet avalanches can become more common with warm days and short nights. Steep rocky terrain and remaining cornices could shed naturally, so avoid snack breaks beneath these overhead hazards.
Forecast Discussion
Saturday was toasty, but Sunday will notch up the temperature once again. This will not be the first time the recent snow has warmed, but with shallow overnight refreezes and warmer temperatures, we can expect wet avalanche activity to continue and maybe even increase on northerly aspects and at upper elevations.
On Friday, skiers intentionally triggered a small (D1) slab avalanche with a cornice fall on a leeward slope of Lichtenberg Mountain. While we suspect that wind slabs are now more difficult to trigger, we have limited information about conditions at upper elevations. If you travel there, make frequent assessments before committing to consequential terrain. You can use small test slopes to assess wind slab reactivity. Long shooting cracks in stiff, textured snow are a sign to steer clear of steep, wind-loaded slopes.
On Saturday, an NWAC forecaster on Skyline Ridge found that it was easy to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes warming in the sun. Northerly aspects had a breakable surface crust, but we expect it warmed and softened later in the day.
Since the 29th, light snow fell on a variety of surfaces. Now it mostly rests on crusts, about 2-5" deep on southeast through southwest aspects, and up to 18" deep on northerly aspects. On March 25th, Stevens Pass picked up 1-1.5 ft of snow, accompanied by strong westerly winds. This snow can still be found resting on a stout crust, about 1-1.5 feet below the surface.
Prepare for low snow cover, open creeks, and icy surfaces, which create various travel hazards.
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.