Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Cooling temperatures and increasing clouds should help the snowpack gain strength throughout the day. Despite the change in the weather, you could still see snow shedding off the mountains. Choose routes that limit the time you spend underneath steep and rocky terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

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

    While cooler weather will help reduce the potential for glide avalanche activity, it may not eliminate it entirely. The water moving through the snowpack from the recent warm weather will not stop immediately. You could still see slides shedding of steep rocky faces even as snow starts to fall from the sky. Limit the amount of time you spend below rocky terrain and slopes where you notice crevasse-like glide cracks. These types of avalanches are inherently difficult to predict. Don’t let this low-likelihood but high-consequence problem surprise you from above. 

    (4/4/2021) These glide cracks have grown larger since they were last observed by NWAC on Thursday afternoon. Some of the slopes have failed completely, producing Glide avalanches. {Snow Lake Divide]

Avalanche Discussion

An approaching weather system should bring colder temperatures, cloudy skies, and increasing winds to the Snoqualmie zone. This will slowly help reduce the avalanches hazard, especially for upper elevations. However, don’t expect the snowpack below treelne to suddenly freeze. It will take time for the water already in motion to drain or stop. Besides glide avalanches, other potential wet snow hazards could linger in the morning hours. If you find a wet or punchy surface, use caution around nearby steep slopes. While natural avalanches would be unlikely, you could push a small loose wet slide in isolated terrain. 

Precipitation should arrive mid-day with upper elevation snow and rain below treeline. We don’t expect enough precipitation to build any new avalanche issues. However, if more snow falls than anticipated, you may find small pockets of wind drifted snow very late in the afternoon. As the storm intensifies overnight, a shift to new snow avalanche problems should occur and correspond with a rise in danger. 

You may encounter a variety of snow conditions Wednesday including wet heavy snow, breakable crust, icy surfaces, and even settled powder. Make sure to plan for these potentially difficult conditions. 

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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