Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

If you travel above Friday’s rain/snow line, you may find the wind has blown the snow into piles that could make triggering an avalanche easier. At lower elevations, avoid traveling below steep rocky slopes that contain large cracks in the snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    When you step out of your car on Saturday, you won’t be greeted with cold dry snow. But as you ascend in elevation, you may find that the snow gets drier. Precipitation on Friday fell as snow at higher elevations, and moderate winds were gusting strong enough to have moved this new snow around to potentially create some Wind Slabs on leeward slopes, the sides of gullies, or at the base of cliffs. Previous to this quick shot of snow, some lower density weak snow had been observed above the 1/13 crust throughout the zone. There could be pockets where this weak snow was preserved and now buried by Friday’s showers, potentially creating some reactive slabs. Once you reach high enough elevations where you are no longer seeing effects from Friday’s rain, look for wind-textured snow surfaces, fresh cornices, or smooth pillow-like piles of snow to help you identify wind-loaded features to steer around.

    (1/14/2021) A large slide on Red Mountain was photographed on 1/14. With another potentially sunny day ahead, solar could help trigger a Wind Slab or help the snow slab up. [Photo: George Coiner]

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Multiple glide cracks have been observed in the zone, including a newly created Glide crack due to Friday’s rain. Glide avalanche failures are extremely difficult to predict, but if one were to release, it would be large to very large and deadly for anyone who was caught in its path. The fact that at least one new crack has opened up, combined with some potentially sunny weather on Saturday is enough for us to continue mentioning these ticking time bombs. As you travel on Saturday, try to take note of slopes above you. If there are steep, smooth rocky slopes with a large crack in the snow resembling a crevasse, give that slope a wide margin by not traveling underneath it.

    (1/13/2021) This Glide avalanche occurred at Alpental on a slope that is known for these types of slides. On the right side of the picture, you can see a Glide Crack on a slope that has not yet climaxed. [Photo: Charlie Hagedorn]

Avalanche Discussion

At lower elevations, conditions at Snoqualmie Pass are driving a bit of a tricky avalanche forecast. We just wrapped up a significant wet avalanche cycle this week, and the snowpack at these elevations is pretty beat up at this point due to many rounds of rain. You may find that conditions are more in line with Low avalanche danger. However, the lingering threat of these Glide avalanches necessitates that we keep them on your radar and the hazard associated with them.  This is a classic low likelihood, high consequence scenario.

If you are thinking that the area you are traveling in is more in line with low hazard,  we would like to remind you that doesn’t mean that there is no avalanche hazard. If you find that the snow is wet and punchy on Saturday, either due to prior rain or the sun’s influence, start to think about wet avalanches. Conditions may make it difficult to initiate one of these slides, but if you notice the signs of wet avalanches such as fresh rollerballs or new fan-shaped avalanche debris, realize that likelihood may be increasing. Earlier in the day, slopes may be firm due to cooler temperatures overnight. We expect any avalanche activity apart from Glides to occur above the 1/13 rain crust, which you can generally find a few inches below the surface. Throughout your travels this weekend, you may also encounter open creeks, down trees and branches, and old avalanche debris from this past week’s cycle.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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