Stevens Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Katie Warren
Issued: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWith yet another warm, sunny day in store, you could still trigger wet avalanches on steep slopes. Northerly aspects and upper elevations might be more susceptible than sunny slopes that have been cooking for a few days. Cornice falls, and snow shedding from cliffs are also possible, don't linger for long beneath these hazards.
Avalanche Danger
Monday, April 6, 2026
7000-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
7000-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
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
The warm spell continues, and even though it's been days of this warm weather, we can't write off wet avalanches yet. You could still trigger wet snow avalanches on steep slopes. While loose avalanches are often 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.
With prolonged warming, unpredictable wet avalanches can become more common. Steep rocky terrain and remaining cornices could shed naturally, so avoid snack breaks beneath these overhead hazards. Southerly aspects have seen significant warming and sunshine recently, so there is less snow to push around. Upper elevations, particularly shady slopes might still have more dry snow that will slide easier when it warms up.
Forecast Discussion
After another warm day on Monday, clouds should roll in by the late afternoon or early evening. While we won't likely see more than a sprinkle of precipitation, it should allow temperatures to cool and help limit wet avalanche conditions moving forward.
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 that even northerly aspects at mid-elevations have seen significant warming by now. You might still find dry snow at the highest elevations on steep, due-north terrain.
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.