Snoqualmie Pass

Generally safe avalanche conditions will continue on Saturday before an expected uptick in avalanche potential later in the weekend. Surfaces are firm in many locations, making travel difficult. Choose travel routes that limit your potential for a long and uncontrolled fall.

Saturday should be the last day of dry weather before a storm starts to impact the zone on Saturday night. As the incoming storm approaches, expect cloudier and breezier conditions than we have seen lately out ahead of it. This may keep the pass cooler at upper elevations than it has been for days, and could limit the amount of softening that occurs on slopes that see direct sunshine. 

Just because the hazard is low, doesn’t mean that avalanches aren’t possible. It’s just that the likelihood is lower. In fact, on Friday, a new avalanche was observed on the SW face of Chair Peak, highlighting the possibility of isolated avalanches during periods of low hazard. If you find that the sun is strong and snow surfaces are softening, you could see some small avalanches. If you are plunging into wet snow deeper than your ankle, start thinking about wet loose avalanches on steep slopes. Precariously hanging blocks of snow and ice on rocky ledges or in the form of cornices may fail during bouts of warm weather. Choose travel routes that put plenty of space between you and these potential hazards. 

The largest hazard you may face is just traveling around in the mountains. Firm and icy conditions are prevalent and require that you bring the required equipment to help prevent you from slipping and falling long distances uncontrollably. Falling a long way is obviously a scary proposition, but you don’t have to slide very far to be injured if terrain traps are involved. Choose travel routes that minimize this hazard by staying away from cliffs or other downslope dangers. Slopes that see direct sunshine will be the firmest in the morning but may soften throughout the day. On slopes that do not see direct sunshine, you could find a mixed bag of surfaces. This includes firm and icy, discontinuous wind pockets, breakable crust, or soft faceted snow.

NWAC forecasters, avalanche professionals, and recreationalists have all reported finding weak snow on or near the surface of the current snowpack recently. With the hope of new snow on the horizon this weekend, we would like your help tracking current snow surfaces throughout the zone. If you’re out and about, please let us know what the snow is like. We want to hear if you are finding strong surfaces too, not just weak ones. Send a picture and your location through our public observation platform. Don’t worry if you’re not entirely sure what you're seeing, we’ll do the dirty work and figure it out. Thanks in advance!