Boletín de aludes

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Mon
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
2 · Moderado
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 2 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Continued light snowfall and moderate winds will keep avalanche hazard elevated on Sunday. Look for pillowy, chalky drits and consider the consequences of small avalanche on a big slope. Safer and more enjoyable riding conditions can be found outside of the wind-zone. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With 6+ inches of snow and a bit more overnight, there is plenty of snow to drive a wind slab avalanche problem. Remember that the wind can form slabs many times deeper than whatever falls from the sky. Shifty winds can put wind slabs into unexpected places such as far down the slope and in locations that are typically sheltered from wind deposition. While any avalanche should be small, consider the consequences of taking a slide into a terrain trap like a tree fence, a gully, or over a cliff.

    Improved visibility may make it easier to identify chalky, pillow-like wind deposits, but assessing their stability safely and accurately remains a challenge. As loading decreases, clear warning signs like shooting cracks and avalanches become less common. Use tools like hand shears, uptrack tests, and pole probes carefully, remembering they may not represent conditions on the slope you're considering.

    With ongoing cool temperatures, moderate snowfall, and steady winds, the best choice for Sunday is to steer clear of wind-loaded slopes. The good news is that sheltered terrain will have lower avalanche danger and the sliding should be more enjoyable.

    (12/14/2024)

    A skier-triggered wind slab avalanche from Saturday. Exposed trees, rocks, and other hazards increase the consequences of a slide like this.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

This event was more wind than snow for Snoqualmie Pass, however, 6+" with perhaps more overnight is a welcomed contribution to our thin early season snowpack. The experience varied depending on your exposure on Saturday, as some parties reported cracking and wind slab reactivity on test slopes while others didn't observe any active wind slab formation. The take home should be that fresh snow and wind makes for avalanches, and these problems typically need a few days without continued loading to fully stabilize.

If you make it up into the middle and upper elevations, you are likley to find soft snow in sheltered zones that could provide for a lovely day in the mountains. Mind the exit and leave yourself plenty of time to navigate the full gamut early season hazards such as open creeks, rocks, shallowly buried logs, ice, and the list goes on.

If you get out on Sunday, please share an observation with us!

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