Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Spring-like weather has led to a more spring-like snowpack and avalanche conditions. If you’re going to find an avalanche on Wednesday, it should be on steep sunny slopes once the surface has softened. Keep in mind the recent very large avalanches in our zone and consider limiting your time on or below slopes that contain large cracks.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Slopes that see direct sunshine are the most likely location for small Wet Loose avalanches to occur on Wednesday. These slopes may be firm and supportable first thing in the morning before the sun has a chance to soften the surface and create the conditions needed for these avalanches. Don't get caught off guard by one of these slides and get pushed into a terrain trap such as a cliff or gully. If you find that you are sinking into wet snow past your ankle, you’ll know that it’s time to be leery of sunny slopes over 35 degrees.

    (1/23/2022)

    Take the time to step off your mode of travel and check to see how deeply you are sinking into the snow. If you find that you are sinking in past your ankle, it may be time to start thinking about avalanches on steep sunny slopes.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Multiple very large Glide avalanches on Chair Peak were reported over the weekend. These are the last known Glide avalanches in the zone, and we feel that enough time has passed to pull the problem from the forecast. That doesn’t mean that you should take these avalanches out of your decision-making process. Talk about these recent very large avalanches with your partners and consider limiting your time below steep slopes that contain large cracks where these avalanches are more likely. As we have been talking about, they are unpredictable and isolated by nature and can surprise even the most experienced backcountry travelers. This same mindset can be applied to cornices, which are known to fail during extended warm spells. 

Our spring-like weather and snowpack structure will persist on Wednesday. The recent warm spell has created a strong and firm upper crust that contains large melt forms and smaller crusts below it. As you travel, you may find variable surface conditions depending on aspect, elevation, or time of day. On sunny slopes, you should find strong and firm surfaces in the morning that soften throughout the day. On the flip side, shady slopes may remain firm all day or contain areas of discontinuous wind-deposited snow. Anywhere you find firm icy slopes, take care not to fall and go for a long or consequential slide. Carry the right equipment for difficult travel conditions and keep an eye out for natural hazards reemerging from the melting snowpack.

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