Bollettino valanghe

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Thu
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 6 months ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Stormy weather will create dynamic and diverse avalanche concerns. While no single issue may be that scary, their overlapping nature could make for dangerous conditions. Keep it simple and seek out lower angle and lower consequence terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    Near and below the rain-snow line, you could find the surface is wet, heavy, and sticky. In some places, it may be downright deep and mushy. Rollerballs and small natural slides could release from steep rocky faces, or you may push snow into small point-release avalanches. It’s often easy to manage these predictable slides, but they can grab you and drag you down the slope. Similar to the wind slab avalanches, they might also act as a trigger for deeper persistent slabs. Be careful in wet, manky snow, especially in higher consequence terrain and in larger avalanche paths where it may awaken the underlying weak layers.

    (3/3/2026)

    Fresh rollerballs are a clear sign indicating wet loose avalanches are becoming more likely.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    There hasn’t been any recent activity on this layer in the Snoqualmie zone in over a week. However, observations from Tuesday confirm it’s still there and still capable of producing slides in the right terrain. It’s hard to say how the additional weight of more precipitation and the formation of a new crust will affect these weak layers. 

    Even if the likelihood of these slides is decreasing (and that’s a big “IF” during a storm), the consequences remain high. Ultimately, it will be nearly impossible to determine exactly which slopes may slide and which won’t. You can easily avoid it by staying off large open terrain.

    (3/3/2026)

    A snow profile on a sunny aspect highlighting the main persistent weak layer of concern. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    Gusty winds should easily drift the new snow into firmer and thicker slabs in higher elevation and more exposed terrain. Some of these slabs could trigger easily, while others may be very hard, hollow, and less reactive. Pay attention to local wind patterns and blowing snow to anticipate potentially loaded slopes. Look for lower angled, wind scoured, and more sheltered terrain to slip around these fresh slabs. We aren’t expecting a ton of new snow, which should help limit the size of these avalanches. However, they may be big enough to push you around or knock you over. They could also act as a larger trigger, releasing a deeper and scarier persistent slab avalanche.

    (1/6/2026)

    Example: Actively blwoign snow and scoured slopes can help you anticipate wind loaded terrain. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Precipitation has returned to the Pass! Unfortunately, mild weather means rain for the middle and lower elevations on Wednesday. It would be great if this was the wallop we need to test the persistent weak layers, but that might not be the case. Cooling temperatures should help snowlevels to slowly drop. Underneath the new snow, yet another crust should start to form. The storm snow should stick well to this firmer layer. 

Persistent Weak Layers: These layers are typically seen above 4000ft. 

  • 2/13: Surface Hoar/Facets: Mostly on shaded aspects. Often 4-6 inches above the 2/7 crust. 
  • 2/7 Crust: Facets above the crust. Found on all aspects 1-1.5 feet deep. 

It’s been a rough year at the Pass. Conditions remain thin, particularly at lower elevations and on southerly aspects. Holes, creeks, logs, and bare ground require time and patience to navigate safely. 

Regioni coperte