Lawinenlagebericht

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

On Tuesday, you’re more likely to trigger an avalanche on specific terrain features such as steep unsupported slopes, convexities, or chutes, especially if they're wind-loaded. The unsettled springtime weather we have experienced the last few days should continue. Be prepared for changing conditions by having a travel plan that allows you to manage multiple types of avalanche problems.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind affected terrain features may be the most likely location for you to trigger an avalanche on Tuesday. Identifying wind-loaded slopes could prove to be a challenge. The signs may be subtle such as noticing a lightly textured surface or feeling the density of the snow change as you travel. In some cases, slabs could be buried beneath a few inches of low-density snow. On the flip side, more in-your-face observations such as actively blowing snow forming new slabs should be easy to spot. Regardless of how easy they are to identify, you should be leery of steep unsupported slopes, convexities, confined chutes/gullies, or the lee side of ridgelines. These are the most likely locations to trigger one of these avalanches.

    (4/2/2023)

    A widely breaking avalanche on a convex slope that was human-triggered on 4/2. The skier was caught, carried, and partially buried. [Great Scott Bowl]

    Photo: Public Observation

Avalanche Discussion

We’re in a rinse-and-repeat weather cycle. Periods of sunshine and convective snow showers should again grace Snoqualmie Pass on Tuesday. With this dynamic and somewhat unpredictable springtime weather comes plenty of caveats in the avalanche forecast. To simplify things, the steeper the slope, the more likely you are to trigger an avalanche in the recent storm snow. 

One example is that you might encounter Dry Loose slides (sluffs) that could grow large or run far distances. Of course, if the sun is able to break through and affect the surface, you may see the moisture content start to transition toward Wet Loose avalanches. In some locations, solar input could also help the upper snowpack gain cohesion, increasing the possibility of slab avalanches. 

Over the weekend, avalanches were failing easily in the storm snow and we received numerous reports of human-triggered slides. Multiple observations indicated that individuals were caught and carried and in some cases partially buried. Most avalanches are thought to have failed on a subtle layer a few inches above the 3/31 crust. With a few inches of snow falling each day, you’ll want to check all of the snow above this easily identifiable snowpack marker for potential issues. You should find the 3/31 roughly 1-1.5 feet below the surface.

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