Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Another round of springtime weather will increase the avalanche potential on Wednesday. Avalanche problems will transition from wet to dry as you ascend in elevation. You're more likely to trigger a slide on slopes over 35 degrees, regardless of the snow's moisture content.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    On Wednesday, incoming snow and fluctuating freezing levels should result in dry snow problems at middle to upper elevations. Use quick hand pits to check for heavy snow over weak snow or a poor bond to the underlying surface. Uptrack tests and small test slopes can help indicate how the new snow reacts to your weight as a traveler. It's springtime, so the moisture content will likely vary between wet and dry, depending on your elevation or even the time of day. Regardless, slabs will be easier to trigger in wind-loaded areas or on slopes over 35 degrees. When in doubt, seek out lower-angled terrain.

    (3/13/2024)

    An uptrack test reveals a shallow storm slab. Tests like this can give you an idea of how the snow is reacting to your weight as a traveler.

    Photo: Robert Hahn

  • Loose Wet

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

    It's springtime at Snoqualmie Pass; there will be wet problems to manage on Wednesday. The driver for wet avalanches could vary throughout the day - heavy new snow, rain on recently fallen dry snow, sun breaks, or afternoon warming. You can track how the snow surface changes throughout the day in response to the weather to determine which factor is at play. Or you can keep it simple - anywhere you encounter moist snow deeper than your ankle, you should think about wet avalanches. These slides often start small but can grow large as they descend and fan out. They'll likely be heavy and can be deceivingly powerful. Don't get tripped up by one near a terrain trap where the consequences could be amplified. 

    (3/24/2024) 

    A wet loose avalanche on a steep slope. It fanned out and grew larger as it descended. You don't want to get pushed around or knocked over by one of these.

Avalanche Discussion

We're in a bit of a spring storm cycle. Another round of precipitation, wind, and fluctuating freezing levels are on tap for Wednesday at Snoqualmie Pass. 

We've already picked up close to a foot of snow at upper elevations this week, with significantly less down low. No observations were received on Tuesday to indicate how the new snow had bonded or reacted to daytime warming or wind.

On Monday, NWAC forecasters found the wet/dry snow line hovering around 4500 feet. After starting off cold, warming is forecast to reach a similar elevation on Wednesday, which should put wet problems on your radar. Expect slab avalanche potential to increase as you ascend in elevation toward drier snow. 

Over the weekend, observations relayed that a range of wet avalanche problems impacted the Pass. Wet loose and glide avalanches large enough to kill you were reported by backcountry travelers. Most of the bigger slides initiated out of rocky terrain and then gouged deeper into the snowpack. If the sun comes out on Tuesday, keep an eye on the terrain above you; similar slides could occur. 

At lower elevations, our snowpack has taken a beating. You'll likely find punchy wet snow, patchy coverage, and exposed creeks/holes. Although snow may initially fall at these elevations on Wednesday, we anticipate a quick transition to rain. Avalanche potential should be minimal, but you could see some rollerballs or small piles shortly after this transition. 

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