Snoqualmie Pass

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist at Snoqualmie Pass. You'll need to navigate a variety of snow surfaces and natural hazards as you move through the hills. Just remember that low danger doesn't mean no danger - so don't turn your avalanche brain off.

We're trending away from sunny weather toward cloudier, hopefully snowier, days ahead. The increasing clouds and the fact that recent storm snow has already had two full days of sunshine this week mean that loose wet slides are unlikely. That said, if there's more sun than expected and the snow surface is getting sticky and wet, you'll know to put these slides back on your radar and head for shadier terrain. Just a few days ago, these slides were easily triggered, causing them to run long distances on the underlying crust.

Otherwise, you'll need to use good mountain travel techniques and keep an eye out for lingering instabilities. Gusty winds sifted snow around earlier this week. Maybe there's a wind slab hanging on in a confined chute/gully that you need to manage. On steep slopes in the shade, the recent storm snow may be cold and dry, poorly bonded to the underlying 2/7 crust. That could produce some loose slides. If you're heading for complex or extreme terrain, there's always a chance that unstable snow exists. Especially in a year like this, where the snowpack is thin and so many rocks are still prevalent. 

Although these scenarios are plausible, they're not very likely. And if you do happen to trigger an avalanche, it shouldn't be very large. NWAC forecasters found no more than 6" over a stout melt-freeze crust (2/7) in the Alpental Valley on Tuesday. 

You should focus your observations on the snow above this easily identifiable interface. On slopes that have received direct solar input in recent days, there may be a new surface crust in the morning. Or the new snow may have undergone enough melt-freeze cycles that it is now joined to the 2/7 crust, forming a single complex. Either way, if it's not sticky and moist, it's probably pretty stable and more likely to produce a long, uncontrolled slide than an avalanche.

Which brings us to our ever-present travel hazards. It seems like we can't quite cover up the creeks, holes, rocks, and bushes this season. Take your time and make travel plans to account for this.