Bollettino valanghe

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 4 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Strong and gusty winds likely built shallow slabs on a variety of aspects and features near and above treeline. Look for fresh cornices, sharp drifts, and textured surfaces to help you anticipate wind-loaded areas. Steer around smooth pillow-like drifts by seeking out less wind-affected or lower-angled slopes.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Easterly winds on Monday were more than strong enough to drift the few inches of recent snow into a fresh batch of wind slabs. While the minimal new snowfall should help limit the size of these potential avalanches, don’t underestimate them. Backcountry travelers on Sunday reported both human-triggered and natural small wind slabs. You could encounter similar conditions Tuesday. Visual clues like textured surfaces, sharp drifts, and fresh cornices can help you anticipate which features are most likely wind loaded. Pay close attention in rock-walled chutes, near the base of cliffs, and along mid-slope gullies. If you see smooth pillow-like drifts, go around them and seek out less wind-loaded areas.

Avalanche Discussion

While the Pass may pick up another inch or so of snow Monday night, in general, our recent active weather pattern is coming to a close. Tuesday morning could start socked in with clouds and maybe even a few flurries. However, don’t let this fool you, this should be the start of a dry two days. While we expect some clearing near the Summit, low clouds could continue to push into the area from the east. This should help limit the effects of the sun on the new snow. 

Even still, if you experience more sunshine than expected you could see the snow respond by becoming wet, sticky, and unstable. We think the few inches of recent snow should limit any wet avalanche activity to simple piles of new rollerballs. They shouldn’t pose much of a threat to you as a traveler. However, if you begin to see avalanches entrain snow, keep your eyes on the slopes above you, and don’t let one of these small slides carry you into a creek or over a cliff. 

This week’s storms brought rain and a few inches of wet heavy snow to the lower elevations around the Pass. Not surprisingly, you’ll find a highly variable snow surface below treeline including icy slopes, breakable crusts, and wet sticky snow. As you ascend above about 4500ft, the snowpack becomes much drier. At mid and upper elevations 4-6 inches (10-15cm) of snow fell over the past several days. This adds to the well-settled snow over the Christmas Crust. This prominent snowpack marker is often seen 18-24 inches (45-60cm) below the surface. While you may find old inter-storm layers in the upper snowpack, we expect avalanche activity to remain within the most recent storm snow.

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