Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

As you ascend in elevation, you may encounter wind-loaded features to avoid. If you find more than 6 inches of snow over a crust, you'll know that small avalanches are possible. You'll have a higher chance of triggering a slide on convex features or in rocky chutes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    At upper elevations, shallow slabs could exist in wind-loaded terrain. Look for actively blowing snow, fresh drifts, textured surfaces, or new cornices to determine loading patterns. You can feel for changes in the depth of snow over the crust to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid. They'll be more common on leeward ridgelines, on convex features, or near rocky outcrops such as the base of cliffs or confined chutes. 

    (2/16/2024)

    Confined alpine terrain features are likely spots to find a small wind slab.

Avalanche Discussion

This week's storm parade has incrementally increased the depth over a series of melt-freeze crusts. Winds ramped up on Saturday, and Alpental Pro Patrol reported actively blowing snow created fresh drifts. More precipitation and gusty winds are coming, so expect similar conditions on Sunday. If the convergence zone lingers over Snoqualmie, we could exceed our expected water numbers, resulting in more widespread avalanche concerns.

All this talk of new snow and wind is very winter-like. Although the mountains are snowy, the snowpack has begun its transition to spring. Numerous melt-freeze crusts, strong rounded grains, and weaker moist grains comprise most of the upper snowpack below the new snow. All it takes is a few sun breaks or thin clouds for the latest snow to destabilize and wet avalanche concerns to emerge. If you see new rollerballs or the snow surface is moist, put wet slides on your radar and head for shadier slopes. We expect all avalanche activity to be confined to this week's snow, regardless of its moisture content. The uppermost melt-freeze crust should be a foot or less below the surface except in heavily wind-loaded terrain.

Lower elevations will likely have more travel hazards than avalanche potential. Although open holes/creeks, shallowly buried rocks, and refrozen avalanche debris are more prevalent down low, they litter the landscape at all elevations. Give yourself extra time and bring the tools required to travel safely.

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