Bollettino valanghe

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
Senza grado
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In sintesi

The storm parade will continue on Sunday as snow, rain, and wind impact the zone. Rising freezing levels mean you may need to manage both wet and dry avalanche problems as you ascend in elevation. Be sure you're out of the mountains early; a larger and more dangerous storm is on our doorstep for Monday. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate winds and continued snowfall may result in sensitive wind slabs at higher elevations on Sunday. Once you reach an elevation with more continuous snow coverage, put this avalanche problem on your radar. To help identify wind-loaded features, note how the snow feels as you travel. It may be deeper or feel denser than the surrounding terrain. You may also see actively blowing snow or new drifts. Slabs may be easier to trigger near rocky outcrops, confined chutes, or the base of cliffs. 

    (12/12/2024)

    Example: A shallow wind slab from early last season. Note that it is below a ridgeline and that the snowpack is shallow, with rocks and bushes sticking out. Similar slides could occur on Sunday.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rising temperatures throughout the day on Sunday mean that the rain line will start creeping up the mountainside. At some point, it should reach an elevation where it was previously snowing. That's where you need to look out for new Wet Loose slides. 

    Wet Loose avalanches often start at a point, such as near rocks, and then fan out as they descend. These slides will become a greater focus as we head into Monday, with the freezing level continuing to climb. For now, if you see rain falling on dry snow or see new fan-shaped avalanche debris, head for lower-angle terrain.

    (12/6/2025)

    This natural Wet Loose avalanche wasn't very big, but it traveled nearly 400ft down the slope. It failed during a rain-on-snow event in the neighboring West South zone. 

    [6600ft, E, WL-N-D1-R1]

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

We're in the midst of a multi-day storm cycle that started on Thursday at Snoqualmie Pass and has us approaching 4 inches of water. Saturday's storm was supposed to be the cold and snowy portion, but Mother Nature took her time cooling down. Eventually, it was cool enough that upper elevations likely received a good shot of snow, increasing the potential for avalanches.

Below roughly 4500-5000 feet, it was a different story.  Rain soaked our mountains and basically decimated what was left of our early-season snowpack. This only helped exacerbate the early-season hazards and access issues in our zone.  Exposed rocks and stumps, open creeks or holes, and bare ground are widespread. Most of these may be easy to spot, while others are hiding under a few inches of new snow.

As we look ahead to Sunday, anticipate rising freezing levels throughout the day as precipitation continues ahead of a significant rain event on Monday. Make sure your travel plans account for the volatile weather and early-season conditions. Have a safe exit plan and give yourself plenty of extra time to make it home before the weather gets really nasty Sunday night.

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.

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