Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

This weather pattern hasn’t really favored the Pass. As a result, the only consequential avalanches you may encounter will come from wind-loaded features. Use caution if you encounter firm pillow-like slabs in higher consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate winds continue to shift from W to E and back again. This constant switch combined with the minimal recent snow has limited wind slab formation. However, that’s not to say they aren’t around. Indeed, one small skier-triggered wind slab was reported on Sunday. If you head higher into the terrain or onto a more wind-prone slope, you may find small shallow wind drifted pockets. Pay close attention to features like couloirs and the base of cliffs where the terrain may help form these smaller slabs. Use caution if you find a firm pillow-like slab. Even though we expect these avalanches to be relatively shallow, they could break above you and carry you into a terrain trap below.

    (1/7/2023) This small wind loaded test slopes cracked and failed. The slab was 4-6 inches thick (10-15cm). Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

The current weather pattern will continue to linger Monday in what may start to feel like Ground Hog’s Day. Yet another weak storm with southerly flow should only bring a few inches of snow to mid and upper elevations at the Pass. Even with strong winds, this shouldn’t be enough to increase the avalanche danger. Instead, the new snow will only provide a bit more material for the winds to throw around. 

At lower elevations, you could encounter wet heavy snow, mixed precipitation, or even rain. While you may see a few piles of rollerballs, they shouldn’t amount to much in the way of real avalanches. 

Over the past several days the snowpack has become very elevationally dependent. Low in the terrain variable conditions exist with breakable crusts, wet sticky snow, and frozen slick surfaces. Above about 4500ft, the snowpack becomes drier and more winter-like. In sheltered areas at mid-elevation soft settled powder continues to linger. While on southerly aspects you may find one or two crusts in the upper snowpack, in general, it is right-side-up, strong, and well-bonded to the robust Christmas Crust. This prominent snowpack marker is frequently seen 18-24 inches (45-60cm) below the snow surface. Higher still, recent winds likely wreaked havoc on the snow surface creating a patchwork of scoured slopes, drifts, and wind-textured snow. Poor visibility and stormy weather have limited observations in higher-elevation terrain this past week. Not surprisingly, we have a much greater level of uncertainty about conditions in above treeline terrain.

Regions covered