Warm, summer-like weather has many residents heading outdoor this weekend. If that includes you with plans for a mountain hike in the Snoqualmie Valley, plan ahead.
Today, May 3, 2013, the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center warned hikers and back country travelers that increased avalanche dangers exists for the popular 
Snoqualmie Pass area. A KOMO news report said hikers are being asked to avoid the areas of Granite Mountain, Chair Peak and Denny Creek until the danger subsides. Just last month, a Granite Mountain avalanche took the life of a Kent man.
Heavy, wet mountain snow Monday morning (Snoqualmie Pass residents reported 1 1/2 feet) and now sunny, warm weather brought on the avalanche warning. The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center reported that yesterday, May 2, 2013, Alpental ski patrol reported “size-able loose wet slides.”
For Friday, May 3rd – Monday, May 6th, wet snow avalanches are more likely from late morning through the afternoon hours on steeper Snoqualmie Pass slopes, especially those exposed to the sun.
The Avalanche Center says, “Remember that wet snow avalanches may be slow-moving, but are powerful and even shallow wet avalanches can be dangerous around terrain traps.”
