Snoqualmie Pass

Thursday’s hazards are probably more about travel conditions than avalanche concerns. While firm, variable, and crusty snow surfaces will create generally safe avalanche conditions, they could make for tricky travel.

A passing storm Thursday morning won’t bring enough snow to impact the avalanche hazard. These southerly systems just don't favor the Pass. By mid-day, you’ll probably only find an inch or so of new snow. Mostly cloudy skies and stronger southerly winds should help keep frozen surfaces frozen and limit any avalanche issues. 

Even with Low danger, keep a few things in mind. 

• Blocks of snow still clinging to rocky faces could fall with little or no warning. 
• If you travel high enough and find soft, dry snow, you might also find a very isolated wind-drifted pocket. These small slabs would most likely be along rocky ridges and in the tops of chutes. 
• At lower elevations, wet, punchy snow might result in” push-o-lanches” (very small wet loose slides) in very steep terrain. 
• With so many obstacles still exposed, even the smallest avalanche could push you into a creek, over a cliff, or through trees. 

The greatest danger you face will likely come from challenging travel conditions. Flowing creeks, open holes, breakable crust, irregular surfaces, logs, bushes, rocks…  and the list seems to keep going. The thing is, there are a lot of obstacles out there. Travel slowly and give yourself time to deal with all these early-season hazards.