Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The storm snow will continue to add up Sunday night and Monday. You may trigger an avalanche within or at the base of the new snow. These slides will be most likely on convex rollovers, very steep slopes, and wind-loaded pockets.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    This storm hasn’t been particularly impressive, but 8-12 inches of snow could sit over the 2/11 interface by Monday afternoon. This snow fell with fluctuating temperatures, at various rates, and with shifting winds. Avalanche could fail on any number of inter-storm layers or possibly at the base of the new snow. Prior to the storm this interface was a thin sun crust on Southerly aspects and may include surface hoar or facets in shaded terrain. 

    Use lots of small slopes and uptrack tests to see how the new snow fails under your weight. Given the variability in the snow before the storm, you may find certain aspects or elevations react differently than others. 

    While you may trigger a slide in very steep or unsupported terrain anywhere, expect avalanches to be deeper in wind loaded areas along ridges and near the base of cliffs.

    (1/11/2024)

    Example: The small test slope in this photo produced a mini avalanche, indicating unstable snow. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Cold easterly winds seemed to keep the wet loose issue in check on Sunday and maintain snow at the Pass. This means there’s still soft snow on the surface at lower elevations. On Monday, you may find the surface becomes wet and sticky at or near the rain/snow line. 

    When you find wet heavy snow, you’ll probably see piles of rollerballs and maybe a few small natural point-release slides. It’s at these elevations you may trigger a wet “push-o-lanche” on very steep slopes. Don’t let one of these small wet loose slides carry you into a creek or hole.

    There is a slight chance for some sunshine later in the day. If this happens, you may see wet loose slides even at higher elevations on steep southerly slopes. Lookout of natural slides originating from rocky terrain.

    (1/29/2024)

    Example: You may see small wet loose slides like this on Monday originating from rocky terrain. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

We continue to rebuild our snowpack inch-by-inch, and this storm falls right in line with that theme. It’s not very big, but it could add almost a foot of snow to the upper snowpack through Monday morning. If that happens, you may find 18 inches or more of snow over the Early February Crust (EFC) at middle elevations! 

Since these storms trickled in, we haven’t seen many avalanche issues with the recent snow. However, you will find a difference in structure from sunny to shades slopes. On more southerly aspects, sunny weather on Saturday formed a new curst in this upper snowpack. It may even blend into the top of the EFC in some locations. On more northerly slopes, last week’s snow remained very cold and dry. You may find surface hoar or facets interspersed in the recent snow, including right on top of the EFC. 

On Sunday, avalanche professionals reported surprisingly good travel conditions! Even still, thin coverage, icy slopes, open creeks, holes, and piles of frozen avalanche debris continue to make for challenging travel.

Regions covered