Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Winter will return for a visit on Wednesday, bringing snow and wind, along with the potential for some small avalanches in wind-drifted snow. At mid and upper elevations, look for deeper drifts or stiff, textured surfaces to identify and steer around steep slopes that harbor these shallow slabs. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A few inches of snow and some steady wind will form stiff wind slabs. These may rest over slick crusts and be easy to trigger and run farther than expected. While they will likely be small, only 4-8 inches deep, they could still be enough to knock you off your feet and carry you through extreme terrain. Steer around steep slopes where you find stiff wind-textured snow and watch for shooting cracks, a sign that you could trigger an avalanche on a steep slope. 

    Likely spots to trigger one of these could be confined alpine terrain features such as couloirs, the base of cliffs, or steep slopes below corniced ridges.

    (2/16/2024)

    Steep, confined terrain like this could be the most likely place to trigger a wind slab on Wednesday.

Avalanche Discussion

Spring is a dynamic time of year, and even though temperatures will be much colder, the sun packs a lot of energy this time of year. Fresh, dry snow can quickly heat up, even through thin cloud cover. As new snow becomes wet, wet avalanche problems. In addition, it sometimes takes a while for the snowpack to freeze completely, and the odd glide avalanche, cornice collapse, or slab of snow falling off steep rocks are still possible. So, make sure to manage any overhead hazard by limiting your exposure. If you start to see snow become wet and punchy, move to shadier or lower-angle terrain. 

Observations from Friday through Sunday indicated a fairly widespread wet loose avalanche cycle on E-S-W aspects. Most of these avalanches were small, with a few larger slides around the Kendall area. Lower elevations have been through many warm days in the last few weeks and are beginning to melt out quite rapidly. Be prepared for unexpected travel hazards such as creeks, rocks, and stumps.

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