Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

New wind slabs will form on atypical aspects and cross-load some slopes as East winds re-distribute recent dry snow.  Avoid steep open slopes below ridgelines where you see obvious signs of wind-loading.  At lower and mid-elevations, use caution on any steep slope where you find freshly drifted snow.  Bundle up - very cold temperatures and wind chills are forecast.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Winds have done a 180 from our storm cycle earlier this week.  East winds can surprise backcountry travelers used to certain slopes or aspects that are more commonly wind-loaded during a typical storm pattern.  Pay attention to which way the wind is blowing, literally, and avoid large open slopes below ridgelines where you see active wind-loading occurring.  Navigating safely above treeline will be difficult as some slopes become cross-loaded and fresh wind slabs develop.  

    At lower and mid-elevations, you're likely to encounter blowing and freshly drifted snow as well.  Ease into the terrain by using smaller and less consequential slopes to see how the snow reacts. If you find cracks or feel firm hollow snow underneath you, step back and stay off of these suspected wind-loaded areas.

    While the wind will be the primary concern on Thursday,  in wind-sheltered areas it's still possible that you could trigger a storm slab avalanche on steep unsupported rollovers or more likely, a small but fast-running dry loose avalanche in very steep terrain.  Don't let a smaller avalanche knock you over and take you for a ride above a terrain trap. 

    (1/9/2022)

    Example from last season of East Winds transporting snow onto the opposite side of the ridgeline (and opposite recent cornice growth) from where we typically see Wind Slabs forming.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche Fatality: Colchuck Pk, East Central Zone: Read the preliminary report here.

Conditions were excellent on Wednesday with increasing new snow as you gained elevation at the Pass.  The new snow was generally reported as right side-up with up to 2' of snow above the heavier, wetter snow received earlier in the storm cycle.  With several inches of fluffy, low density snow to end the storm, several natural dry loose avalanches were observed in steeper terrain.  One small soft slab avalanche was observed in the Chair Peak area, likely triggered by cornice fall and another thin (2-3") soft slab skier was triggered in the Cache Couloir. During periods of sunshine Wednesday, evidence of Monday's natural avalanche cycle was visible from the Source Lake area.  East winds were starting to move snow along ridgelines as winds increased into the moderate range.  

We expect most avalanche activity to remain in the new snow above the recent rain crust/refreezing wet snow. However, we can’t rule out an isolated avalanche breaking into deeper layers like the 2/17 or 2/13 interfaces. This would most likely occur in isolated areas with a larger trigger like a cornice or a smaller avalanche that steps down deeper in the snowpack.

However you recreate on Thursday, throw on some extra layers, and whatever else you need to stay comfortable and warm in case of an unplanned emergency.  It won't feel like March is around the corner over the next few days. 

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