Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche hazard should continue to be fairly minimal on Sunday even with some new snow. If you find the snow isn’t sticking to the surface well or it’s windier than expected, look out for deeper pockets of snow where you could trigger an avalanche more easily. Continue to be prepared for firm snow surfaces that may make travel difficult.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    A couple of inches of new snow should blanket the pass on Sunday, increasing the amount of dry snow sitting atop a crust. Although avalanche hazard should remain minimal, there will certainly be more potential than there has been the past few days, based solely on the fact that we received some snow. We expect that the new snow will not be well bonded to the previous snow surfaces, some of which were firm and icy. It's on these slopes where you should look out for Dry Loose avalanches on Sunday. Often called sluffs, these avalanches are capable of running far distances and moving quickly, fanning out as they descend. Don’t let one of these slides catch you off guard and sweep you off your feet in consequential terrain.

    (3/8/2020) An example of a Dry Loose avalanche triggered by a skier on a steep slope.

Avalanche Discussion

You should continue to find generally safe avalanche conditions on Sunday at Snoqualmie Pass. But as stated above, the hazard will be a slight uptick over previous days since we are receiving some new snow. As we often like to say, low hazard doesn’t mean no hazard, so take a look around to see if the wind is moving snow into deeper piles where you could trigger an avalanche more easily. The base of cliffs, leeward slopes near ridgelines, or the sides of gullies are good spots to check out. You can also look to see if the new snow has any slab-like properties to it by using some test slopes or digging hand pits as you travel. The snow should come in cold with light wind, keeping both of these scenarios in check, but isolated areas of unstable snow cannot be ruled out.

The new snow should be falling on top of a few inches of weak snow that is currently sitting on a variety of snow surfaces. The weak snow may cause some reactive pockets tomorrow, but the amount of snow sliding downhill should be small and possibly inconsequential. As for the variable snow surfaces, you should continue to be prepared for difficult travel conditions throughout the zone as we try to distance ourselves from last week’s atmospheric river event. Frozen avalanche debris, firm and icy surfaces, and breakable crust may now be buried by a few inches of low-density snow, masking the hazard. Falling and sliding a long way will continue to be a very real possibility.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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