Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Avalanche conditions on Sunday aren’t easy to predict. Cooling temperatures and new snow should simultaneously make wet slides less likely while increasing the potential for fresh slabs in wind loaded terrain. Fortunately, all these slides should be relatively small and easy to manage. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    There are several ways this problem could play out. Fortunately, once you’re on the snow, it should be straightforward and easy to determine. Whatever happens, it’s more about the consequences of the terrain than the size of the avalanche. If one of these slides grabs you, it could force you over a cliff, through trees, or into a creek. Take a moment to think about potential terrain traps before committing to a slope with any form of wet snow. 

    Scenario 1: Wet, mushy snow from Saturday might linger into Sunday. Travelers have been able to push small wet avalanches in very steep terrain. This issue won’t go away unless the surface freezes. This is most likely at upper elevations or if the skies clear overnight. If you find a new crust capping last week’s snow, then this version of the wet loose issue is very unlikely. 

    Scenario 2: Near the rain-snow line, new wet heavy snow or a transition from snow to rain could result in small wet loose slides. This version needs new snow to accumulate during the day. So, it will take time to develop, and these slides should generally be very small. If the surface feels wet and heavy, produces fresh rollerballs, or results in small point-release avalanches, then this scenario is taking shape. 

    This problem will likely exist in a narrow elevation band. Down low, there’s not enough new or recent snow to cause an avalanche of any real size. Up high, cooling temperatures should help old wet snow freeze, and dry snow to accumulate on the surface.

    (1/29/2026)

    Rollerballs from this past week near the rain-snow line. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    There won’t be any wind slabs to start the day. However, as snow falls and winds increase, look for shallow slabs to develop on the lee sides of ridges and exposed features. Anticipating where these slabs could be is as simple as watching the blowing snow hitting you in the face. The questions will be: how thick are they, and will they fail? Expect slabs to get deeper and more dangerous in the afternoon and as you ascend. Since this problem is actively forming, they may be easily triggered, especially when they overlay a crust. 

    Example: (1/7/2023) Blowing snow and drifts can be used to help anticipate wind loaded features Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures are cooling, but it still might not be all snow at the Pass on Sunday. Snow levels could fluctuate as easterly flow weakens during the day. This all results in a transition day as we move from wet avalanche concerns back to new dry snow issues. For part of the day, neither problem could be a real concern. 

Last week, about 4 inches of snow fell at Pass level, with a foot or more accumulating around 5500ft. This recent snow caps the January Drought Interface. This is often a burly crust. Sadly, temperatures warmed and rain reached above the tops of the highest peaks. At the moment, we’re only concerned with the snow above this uppermost crust in the snowpack. 

Travel hazards remain a persistent problem this winter. Breakable crust, icy slopes, irregular surfaces, random holes, and countless obstacles need time and patience to manage. 

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