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

As the warm and sunny conditions start to affect the snow around Snoqualmie Pass on Satruday you may see small loose avalanches near rocks and cliffs. However, this same weather will maintain the possibilty for larger blocks of snow to fall off the mountains. Pay attention to what’s above your head and choose routes that help limit the time you spend under steep and rocky terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    There’s still plenty of water working its way through the snowpack and this weekend’s added heat won’t help. This means glide avalanches could still occur especially off of very steep and rocky slopes. Avalanche professionals traveling around the pass, continue to remark, “there are glide cracks literally everywhere.” You aren’t likely to trigger one of these avalanches on your own, however, you don’t want to be under one if it decides to fail. Pay attention to the slopes above you and choose routes that minimize the amount of time you need to spend under steep rocky terrain especially when you see crevasse-like glide cracks.

    (1/21/2022)

    This gilde avalanche on the North Slope of Chair Peak likely occurred a few days ago, but highlight the ongoing glide avalanche concerns around Snoqualmie Pass. N-WS-R2-D2.5-G, North aspect. 5600'

    Photo: Scott Schell

  • Loose Wet

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

    First thing in the morning, there likely won’t be much of a loose wet avalanche hazard. An overnight freeze should create a strong surface. As the warm temperatures and sunshine start to soften the frozen snow, you may see piles of rollerballs or even a few small loose wet avalanches. These will be most likely on steep slopes receiving direct sunshine and near rocks and cliffs. You can track the changes in the snow surface by using your boot to see how deep you sink. If you find more than 4” (ankle deep) of wet snow on the surface, loose wet avalanches are becoming possible. While these slides should remain small, don’t let them catch you off guard and carry you over a cliff or into a deep gully.

    (1/21/2022)

    Small rollerballs with a very small loose wet avalanche on Friday near Source Lake in the Alpental Valley. You could see similar conditions Saturday. 

    Photo: Ian Nicholson

Avalanche Discussion

Snoqualmie Pass received 3-5” of new snow Thursday night. On Friday avalanche professionals reported variable travel conditions with areas of very firm snow and pockets of softer wet snow. A few very small loose wet avalanches were seen on steep southerly slopes. Below the most recent snow, a very strong and spring-like upper snowpack formed during this extended period of warmer weather (Jan 11-present) consisting of firm crusts and large melt forms. While we’re expecting unseasonably warm weather, for most slopes, this well-adjusted spring-like snowpack should handle the continued warm weather well. Additionally a solid overnight freeze and shorter mid-winter days will continue to help limit the development of more dangerous avalanche conditions. 

If you use this period of nice weather to head to the tops of the higher peaks around Snoqualmie Pass, you could encounter isolated pockets of wind drifted snow. Look for simple clues like textured surfaces and smooth wind drifts to help anticipate which features you may want to avoid.

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