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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Highlights

Even though we’ll be between storms Wednesday, you could still trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow. Watch for textured surfaces and sharp drifts to help clue you into which slopes might be wind-loaded. Due to strong winds from a variety of directions, you may encounter wind-affected snow in some unusual locations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It feels like each day the winds flip around from west to east to south. Combine that with the recent snow, and you can easily see how you may encounter wind slabs on just about any aspect and possibly in some unusual locations. Keep an eye out for signs of wind-loaded features such as textured surfaces, firmer snow, and sharp drifts. After Monday night’s significant snowfall, some of these slabs could be a foot or more thick and produce avalanches big enough to kill you. While these lingering wind slabs may be harder to trigger, their variable locations should keep you on your toes. Steer around smooth pillow-like drifts and seek out lower angled or less wind-affected snow to avoid triggering one of these potential avalanches.

    (4/13/2022)

    Textured snow surfaces show that the wind has been drifting the snow, possibly into nearby Wind Slabs.

    Photo: Craig Muderlak

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday will be a bit of a transition day between storms. You’re primary avalanche issues will stem from the snow that fell Monday night and Tuesday morning. Between 6 and 12” of snow sits over the 4/18 interface at mid and upper elevations. On many slopes, the base of the storm is marked by a melt-freeze crust. You can use your hand to quickly dig and investigate the recent snow. Below the 4/18, 2-3' of generally right-side-up settled storm snow sits over the 4/8 crust. While we only believe avalanches will involve the most recent snow, we will continue to monitor this upper snowpack as temperatures warm. 

You may see a bit of sunshine first thing in the morning before the skies become more overcast. While the April sun is strong, it will need to overcome chilly nighttime low temperatures and a new surface crust before any loose wet avalanche hazard develops. So, don’t be surprised if you see a few rollerballs or maybe even a couple of small loose slides. However, increasing clouds and a stiff easterly breeze should quickly put an end to any wet snow issues by mid-morning. 

Rain and snow should arrive at the Pass in the early afternoon. Southerly flow associated with this system doesn’t favor Snoqualmie. As a result, we aren’t expecting significant precipitation during the day. Instead, the biggest impact of the weather Wednesday will be strong and gusty winds and poor visibility making travel more challenging.

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