Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Though the avalanche conditions are generally safe, you could still trigger an avalanche in steep and complex terrain if you find a pocket of wind loaded snow. Extreme and confined terrain features without a surface crust are the most likely location to find the problem. Travel conditions will only get more challenging on Thursday with stronger winds and a wide variety of crusts over much of the landscape.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Very warm weather above 4500' combined with multiple days since the last storm event has decreased the likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche. The high temperatures have impacted the snowpack to varying extents all around the compass, leaving fewer and fewer slopes in question. Any lingering instability would most likely lurk in an isolated steep gully or chute that has managed to escape most of the effects of this warming. Be suspect of extreme terrain where the slab doesn't have a surface crust. Low danger doesn't mean no danger, and if you poke the bear in committed terrain, you could still release a hard wind slab breaking 1-2 feet deep. Consider the consequences of going for ride on a slope where even a small avalanche can lead to a big and dangerous fall. 

     

    (1/11/2025)

    A human-triggered wind slab avalanche from last Saturday. If you can still find this problem on Thursday, it will likely be in steep and confined terrain features that don't have a surface crust.

Avalanche Discussion

If you were above about 4000' on Wednesday, it was hot at the Pass. Under mostly clear skies, temperatures soared to over 50 degrees at the top of Alpental, while a steep inversion kept both the travel and surfaces hard at lower elevations. Crusts have been reported on just about every aspect at most elevations. There may be some lingering pockets of soft snow on steep north-facing terrain, but this is likely the exception, not the rule. While this warm-up increased the risk for wet loose avalanches during the day, it also likely helped to further decrease the wind slab avalanche hazard on the 1/10 interface. That said, a recent natural avalanche on the layer is still on our mind. The danger level has decreased, however, the nature of this problem is such that if you trigger the avalanche it will likely be in really consequential terrain where any slide could cause a significant injury. 

This next system brings high winds, very little snow, and a rapid cool down. The decrease in temperature and sun will put any wet avalanche concerns to bed, and we are unlikely to see significant new wind slab formation with such anemic snow totals. If you venture out tomorrow, you will be in the mountains while any potential slabs are being built. That should make things straight forward. If you see blowing snow, avoid lee slopes where that snow is being deposited, and continue to be mindful of the potential hazard on the 1/10 interface. 

Finally, travel was already challenging, and it will now be even more so. Strong winds, poor visibility, and a variety of crusts, some supportable and some not, will make Thursday a tough day to be in the mountains.  We aim to point folks in the direction of the good and safe snow. While there will likely be plenty of safe snow on Thursday, good snow could be hard to come by!

Regions covered