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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Highlights

Another warm sunny day will keep us thinking about wet avalanche issues Wednesday. You could encounter natural avalanches, especially on steep southerly faces. Pay attention to the slopes above you and don’t linger below crevasse-like cracks, overhanging cornices, or sunny rocky terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    A cold clear night will help the snow surface to freeze. That means the sun will have to break down this new crust before you need to worry about loose wet avalanches. Wet punchy snow, new rollerballs, small teardrop shaped debris piles are all great clues that loose wet slides are becoming more likely. While you may see a few natural avalanches, most of them should stay relatively small. Just don’t let them catch you by surprise and push you into a creek or over a cliff.

    (3/18/2023)

    Wet Loose avalanches on Kendall Peak occurred due to sunshine and warming on 3/18. Most originated near rocky terrain.

    Photo: Rachel Gronvold

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    This problem is quite a bit more tricky and encompasses glides, cornice failures, and snow shedding from rocky faces. Recent glide avalanches and new glide cracks opening are clear signs that the snowpack has been set in motion by multiple days of warm weather. If and when any particular slope/cornice will fail is nearly impossible to predict. However, if you happen to be underneath when it does, it would certainly ruin your day. 

    The best way to manage this concern is to choose routes that limit any time you need to spend underneath slopes with crevasse-like glide cracks, looming cornices, or rocky faces basking in the sun. These are the areas where you could encounter a much bigger and more deadly slide.

    (3/21/2023)

    A natural glide avalanche was observed on Tuesday 3/21 on the E side of Granite Mt. Additional glide cracks can be seen on the adjacent slopes.  Approx: E, 4600ft, (WS-N-D2-R2-G).

    Photo: Alpental Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures could be quite chilly at Pass level and lower elevations trailheads Wednesday morning, but things should warm up quickly. While you could see avalanches at any point during the day, expect the hazard to peak in the afternoon along with the warmest temperatures and strongest sunshine. 

This has been a prolonged warm period at the Pass. Temperatures have frequently been above freezing since Saturday. Rain, sunshine, and warm temperatures have affected all snow surfaces except higher elevation shaded terrain. Expect icy slopes, breakable crust, punchy snow, and frozen debris as you travel. 

Several rounds of recent loose wet avalanches occurred Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at the Pass. Some of these slides were up to size D2. While we have less information about new glide avalanches, at least one recently released on the E side of Granite Mt at about 4600ft.

Regions covered