Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

Rainy weather could cause the snow surface to become wet and unstable Tuesday on steep northerly slopes. If you see new rollerballs or find the snow surface becoming wet and sticky, steer around similar terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Expect rain to the top of all the peaks in the Snoqualmie zone Tuesday creating a chance of wet snow avalanches. Over the past week, a variety of snow surfaces developed across the area. This variability will cause the timing of the rain affect to differ from slope to slope. We think the rain will cause the fastest and most significant impact at mid and upper elevations on W-N-E aspects where pockets of soft unconsolidated snow may still be found. If you see new rollerballs or find fresh fan-shaped debris stay away from similar slopes. As rain continues to fall in the afternoon or if precipitation totals exceed forecasted values, loose wet avalanches could spread to other aspects or become larger.

    (12/2/2020) Example West-North Zone: Rollerballs and pinwheels on the east aspect of Table Mountain near 5500ft.

Avalanche Discussion

Snoqualmie Pass is right on the border for the bulk of the forecasted precipitation Tuesday. Small shifts in the position or timing of the rain could create avalanche conditions that differ from the forecast. In general, the snowpack is strong, well settled, and should handle the rain well. We anticipate any avalanche activity to occur within the upper snowpack. 

With that said, this is an early-season snowpack, and water may quickly reach the ground. This may cause pockets of snow to fail, resulting in glide avalanches and snow shedding from rocky faces. Pay attention to the terrain above you. Select routes and travel techniques that limit your exposure to steep rocky slopes, especially when you notice crevasse-like glide cracks. 

Anticipate challenging travel conditions with variable snow surfaces and numerous early-season obstacles that could ruin your day. Give yourselves extra time to manage and navigate around these additional hazards. 

Regions covered