Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

The snowpack will need more time to ingest all of the rain from the weekend. Large blocks of snow on rocky ledges could fall and trigger avalanches on the slopes below. Choose travel routes that minimize your exposure to these ticking time bombs as well as early-season hazards.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Glide Cracks

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–2.5

    Wet avalanches will be of concern for another day as water works its way through the snowpack. These slides can occur long after the rain has stopped, making them tricky to predict. You could encounter a range of wet problems on slopes over 35 degrees anywhere you’re plunging into moist snow past your ankle. This includes both slabs and loose avalanches. However, the threat of larger shedding-style avalanches such as glide is what should shape your travel plans for the day. Be cognizant of precariously hanging blocks of snow on smooth slopes above you, even at lower elevations. They could release without warning.

    (12/10/2023)

    Wet slides coming out of rocky terrain on the west side of Kendall.

    Photo: Charlie Hagedorn (Licensed CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0)

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Above the rain/snow line, expect to find a more winter-like scene and the possibility of Storm Slabs. Observations from upper elevations are extremely limited, but the snow likely came in heavy and wet, creating an upside-down snowpack. Before committing to a slope, you’ll need to dig down to the 12/6 interface and check all of the recent storm snow for instabilities or heavy snow over weak snow. These avalanches will be more likely in wind-loaded terrain or on steep features over 35 degrees. 

    (12/8/2023)

    Natural storm slab avalanches failed during a period of intense precipitation. 6-8 inches deep  SS-N-D1-R1-S

    Photo: Alpental Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

After another active weekend, we’re going to be settling into some calmer weather for the work week. The most recent atmospheric river has again soaked the majority of our snowpack resulting in a myriad of wet avalanche issues. 

As alluded to above, observations from middle and upper elevations were extremely limited on Sunday. A few breaks in the clouds allowed onlookers to notice fresh avalanche debris coming out of rocky areas. More easily observed was the widespread icing due to freezing rain at lower elevations. This may have actually helped to preserve snowpack depth from deteriorating due to the warm rain.

Current travel conditions in the mountains requires vigilance on your part. The freezing rain crust down low may transition into a breakable surface crust as you move up through the terrain, making slips and falls more of a concern. Creeks are swollen, holes are open, and rocks/bushes are either shallowly buried or poking through our thin snowpack. Don’t get tripped up near one of these natural hazards.

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