Avalanche Forecast
Jan 25th, 2019–Jan 26th, 2019
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Snoqualmie Pass.
The Bottom Line: Expect the warmest temperatures of the winter, so far. Warming, sun, and uncertainty of the snow layers at upper elevations will maintain heightened conditions. If you are heading to higher slopes, use caution on slopes 35 degrees and steeper.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
Thursday was pretty quiet in the Snoqualmie Pass area. We did not receive reports of any new, notable avalanches. However, evidence of Wednesday’s avalanche cycle was easy to find. Debris from several large and very large avalanches was observed on Denny Mountain and around Source Lake.
The layer of buried surface hoar from January 17 is not as prevalent near Snoqualmie Pass, as it is in the nearby Stevens Pass and East-Central zones. That doesn’t mean it is absent. You would be most likely to find this persistent weak layer 1-2 ft below the snow surface in areas near Stampede Pass, or valleys outside of the main Pass locations.
The lower elevation snowpack continues to creep and glide under the weight of recent rains. While no glide avalanches have been reported, they are on our mind. If you see crevasse like features on a slope, limit you exposure by avoiding traveling on or below these areas.
Expect difficult travel conditions at lower elevations including breakable crust, wet heavy snow, and open creeks.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.