Snoqualmie Pass

A weather pattern change is on the horizon this week. It should start with a cloudy Monday, which won't do much to alter avalanche potential. Continue to focus on travel hazards, such as firm slopes that could result in a long, uncontrolled slide.

A weather system is attempting to move into the Snoqualmie Pass area on Monday. Unfortunately for winter lovers,  you shouldn’t expect any significant snowfall. Instead, we’ll be left with cloudier conditions and a bit of wind.

That won’t be enough to increase avalanche potential. In some respects, you could argue that it will lower even more, if that’s possible. With more clouds than in past days, don’t expect firm surfaces to soften much, if at all. Additionally, lingering cornice and glide crack concerns will be even less likely. But don’t forget that the mountains are inherently dangerous. Use good travel techniques and focus on travel hazards since there are minimal avalanche concerns.

Long, uncontrolled slides have been reported throughout the Cascades over the past week and will remain a concern wherever a firm surface is in place. Furthermore, slopes that receive direct sunshine contain patches of bare ground. Open creeks and holes, along with exposed rocks and bushes, are widespread and pose a hazard in their own right.

As the week rolls along and weather systems try to make their presence felt, we'll start talking more about the upper snowpack and potential failure points. But that's for another forecast. Stay tuned.