Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

Avalanche conditions could vary by aspect and elevation as the snowpack continues to fight through a transition from dry to wet. Keep an eye on the slopes above you. You could see blobs of snow or wet loose slides, especially from steep rocky terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will be most likely above the cold low-level inversion and west of the Pass proper where warmer, sunnier weather is expected. In most locations, a surface crust will need to break down before wet loose slides will become much of a concern. That could happen faster on the steep rocky slopes above you than where you’re standing. 

    While you could trigger one of these avalanches, don’t forget about the possibility of a rouge natural slide. Blobs of snow may shed from cliffs or trees and cause avalanches on the slopes below. Most of the slides should remain small, but if the snow surface becomes warm and wet they could entrain additional snow or cause lingering inter-storm layers to fail as a slab. 

    Situations like this necessitate managing your overhead hazard as much or more than thinking about the slope you’re on. Look for routes that limit the time you spend underneath steep rocky terrain basking in the sun.

    (4/13/2024)

    Example: Snow shedding for rock or trees could release wet loose slides onto the slope below. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

The weather at the Pass will feel very different above and below the inversion. If your trailheads are at or east of the pass it will likely be socked in and chilly to start the day. West of the Pass it could be warmer and sunnier. In both cases, expect warmer temperatures and more sunshine as you ascend. 

Clear skies overnight should allow a surface crust to form and strengthen. This could limit the avalanche danger in the morning and should keep the hazard very low on more shaded aspects. If incoming clouds arrive sooner than expected, it might not breakdown at all, and you could experience generally safe avalanche conditions. 

At the tops of the highest peaks, you might find cold dry snow. We aren’t sure how high you’ll need to go for this, but it seems like above 5500 or maybe even 6000ft. There aren’t that many peaks in the Snoqualmie area higher than that. Easterly winds may have drifted recent snow into small firm slabs. Watch out for pillow-like drifts you want to avoid at these highest elevations. 

Things were active this weekend as we wrapped up a prolonged stormy period. Numerous natural, human, and explosive triggered avalanches were reported. Most of this action will be in your face as you traverse frozen piles of debris and see crowns along many slopes. We expect these storm slab layers to heal quickly, but the avalanche cycle was rather impressive.

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