Snoqualmie Pass

Generally safe avalanche conditions will exist in the mountains on Wednesday. The same can’t be said about travel conditions. Travel cautiously and bring the right tools to help you navigate early-season conditions.

Just because it’s low danger doesn’t mean that hazards don’t exist in the mountains right now. While most of these are related to travel conditions, there are some avalanche issues to keep in mind.

1. Shedding avalanches could still occur in isolated locations. Be leery of precariously perched blocks of snow on rock ledges. These types of slides are unlikely but difficult to predict.
2. If you find dry snow on top of the highest peaks, it could be drifted into shallow slabs by the recent east winds. Due to the atypical wind direction, these slabs may be on different aspects than you’re used to. Look for them near rocky features or ridgelines.
3. Traveling in extreme terrain comes with a higher potential for avalanches. Think about the consequences of even a small slide if you’re using the nice weather to visit these areas.
4. Elevation, a slope's exposure to sunshine, or tree cover are some of the influences that have created variable surfaces. You’ll likely find some mix of breakable crust, firm and icy, moist and sticky, and refrozen avalanche debris as you travel on snow. 
5. Other natural hazards such as open creeks and holes, exposed boulders and shrubs, or generally low snow coverage can magnify the consequences of a slip, trip, or fall.

If you’re out and about, shoot us some pictures of the surface or anything else you’re seeing. You can send them to us through our new app or on our website by submitting an observation.