Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. As the day warms up, keep your eye out for isolated pockets of unstable wet snow under rocks and cliffs. Be prepared for firm and challenging travel conditions first thing in the morning, and in shadier terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday was another sunny, calm day in Snoqualmie Pass. Temperatures started below freezing as low as trailhead level, climbing into the 40s at low elevations, and the mid 30s at middle and upper elevations. Snow surfaces stayed mostly firm and supportable thanks to a radiative refreeze overnight. Sunny aspects softened a touch, but not by much, mainly the top couple of inches. As of Sunday, the most recent reported avalanche activity came in on Thursday.An NWAC forecaster took a trip to the Alpental Valley on Sunday to check out the recent avalanche activity as well as current snow coverage. It didn't take long to spot multiple large avalanches in the zone, mainly wet slab and wet loose. All of the observed avalanches appeared quite old, likely from last week. Last week's rain and warm temperatures have had significant impacts on coverage around the Pass, resembling the general coverage before the March storm cycle. Creeks and waterfalls are running strong, making low-elevation travel a bit more challenging.

Monday should be another calm day in the mountains, with some small weather changes. Another clear night should allow for a strong refreeze of snow surfaces by Monday morning. Temperatures will climb a little warmer in the afternoon compared to Sunday, with the chance of some high cloud cover also rolling in. As the day warms up, isolated areas of unstable wet snow may begin to develop in the extra sunny spots near rock bands and cliffs. If so, any wet loose avalanche activity should be small in size and confined to the warm areas.

Surfaces are pretty beat up out there, with rocks, runnels, and frozen avalanche debris making travel a little extra challenging. If you're getting an early start to the day, plan for firm and uneven surface conditions.

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