Boletín de aludes

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Thu
Alta montaña
4 · Fuerte
Límite del bosque
4 · Fuerte
Bajo el límite
3 · Notable
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 6 months ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Strong winds, heavy precipitation, and warming temperatures will rapidly destabilize the snow on Wednesday. It might not feel like it first thing in the morning, but very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected to develop. Avoid traveling on, near, or beneath steep terrain as the weather worsens.

Problemas de aludes

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Very Likely
    Tamaño
    1.5–2.5

    Wednesday will bring heavy precipitation, strong winds, and warming temperatures to Snoqualmie Pass. Altogether, it's the perfect recipe for widespread avalanche activity. With over a foot of low-density snow all across the Pass, heavier wet snow will quickly fall on top, and turn the snowpack "upside down", with heavier snow on top of lighter snow. Avalanche activity is expected throughout the zone, but your chances of finding one are even higher at middle and upper elevations. 

    By late Wednesday afternoon, the stage could be set for a natural avalanche cycle. Deeper and larger slabs could fail in areas of wind-loaded snow and reach down to the 3/8 crust. Wednesday will be a good day to have simple objectives and stick to lower-angle terrain.

    (2/25/2026)

    A crown of a large, natural avalanche in the West South. This was a persistent slab avalanche, but similarly sized storm slabs may occur in the Pass on Wednesday

    Photo: Shane Robinson

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–1.5

    Rising snow levels may allow for wet avalanche activity at lower and middle elevations on Wednesday.  With ample low-density snow on the surface throughout Snoqualmie Pass, any addition of water or heavy snow could have rapid impacts on the reactivity. It doesn't have to rain to produce wet avalanches; heavy, wet snow can cause them as well. If the snow starts to feel heavy and sticky, or you notice fresh roller balls, or small point-release avalanches, it's probably time to move to lower-angle terrain. 

    (3/5/2026)

    The wet new snow easily pushed into a loose slide on this small test slope.

     

    Photo: Northwest Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday was a beautiful day in Snoqualmie Pass, with clearing skies and lots of fresh snow in the mountains. Upper elevations now hold 12+ inches of new low-density snow, with middle and lower elevations having closer to 8-10 inches. Observers have reported pockets of wind slab and heavy wind affect at exposed middle and upper elevations, but overall, travel has greatly improved in sheltered areas.

An NWAC forecaster took a trip to the SW side of Kendall, finding a foot of low-density snow over the knife-hard 3/8 crust. Below the crust, remains a layer of weaker, large-grained melt form, followed by relatively denser old snow to the ground. With the 3/8 crust being so thick and supportable, it's unlikely avalanches will fail below it. 

A stretch of stormy weather is at our doorstep, and the avalanche danger is expected to rise quickly on Wednesday. We have all the fixings for a very dangerous day in the mountains, so don't be fooled by the milder conditions first thing in the morning. There will be a big difference in the weather between the early morning and late afternoon. If you're headed into the mountains, plan your day accordingly, and remain flexible to adjust as the danger builds.

It may be the second week of March, but snow coverage is still very thin out there. The recent rain has blown open creeks, decreased lower elevation snow depth, and re-exposed rocks, stumps, and other earthly objects. Take caution when traveling in these lower tide areas.

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