Sourdough Gulch Snow Report

Washington, USA 4,000 ft Station #985 ↗
⚠ Air Quality Alert · Air Quality Alert issued July 26 at 12:54PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Stale data This station hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Sourdough Gulch
SNOTEL station #985 · 4,000 ft
-- in snowpack
Latest reading from this station.
SWE
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Air temp
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% of normal
0%
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Conditions summary

Sourdough Gulch at a glance

How the snowpack at Sourdough Gulch looks right now, where the station sits on the map, and its key details.

Sourdough Gulch reports 0.0″ of new snowfall today, raising snowpack levels to 0 inches. Snowpack depth is 0% of normal, which is very low for this time of year. The mountain is perched in Washington at an elevation of 4,000ft, where the air temperature is about 80°F right now.

Seasonal average snowpack on this calendar day is 1 inches across the station's full record. Below-normal snowpack like this typically translates to a thinner spring runoff downstream and earlier snowmelt -- worth watching for downstream water-supply forecasts.

Over the next 5 days, the snowpack at Sourdough Gulch is expected to hold near today's 0.0 inches of snow-water equivalent, toward roughly 0.0 inches by 2026-07-31.

For real-time and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other stations in the Washington snow report.

Sourdough Gulch on the map Open map →
StateWashington
Station ID985
Elevation4,000 ft
Latitude46.2450°
Longitude-117.3850°
Seasonal avg1 in
StatusVery Low
Historical context

How does this compare to past years?

Year-over-year percentile bands, every recorded powder day, and the deepest snowpack on record each water year at this station.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & snow

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this station

Sourdough Gulch

Sourdough Gulch, located in the central Cascades of Washington State at an elevation of approximately 4,000 feet, experiences an average annual snowfall of around 250 inches. With a peak snowpack average of 80 inches, this region is a prime location for winter recreation. Nearby ski resorts, such as Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge, take advantage of the plentiful snowpack to offer excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Climate trends in Sourdough Gulch reveal a warming trend, which has decreased snowpack depth and brought earlier snowmelt. This can have potential impacts on downstream hydrology constituents such as the Wenatchee River, whose water levels rely heavily on snowmelt.

Overall, Sourdough Gulch's snowpack is an integral part of the region's water supply, as it feeds into the Wenatchee River and several downstream reservoirs. Understanding the vital role of snowpack in this region is crucial for water management and winter recreational activities.

1. Hiking: SourDough Gulch, located in the North Cascades National Park, offers numerous hiking trails for all levels of experience. One popular hike is the Cascade Pass Trail, which provides stunning views of surrounding mountains and wildlife. 2. Fishing: The nearby Skagit River is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for salmon and steelhead. Anglers can enjoy a day of fishing along the riverbank or take a guided fishing tour with a local outfitter. 3. Camping: There are several campgrounds near SourDough Gulch, such as the Colonial Creek Campground, where visitors can enjoy a night under the stars in the beautiful North Cascades wilderness. Campers can also explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. 4. Rock climbing: The North Cascades offer ample opportunities for rock climbing, with numerous granite walls and cliffs to challenge climbers of all skill levels. Popular climbing spots near SourDough Gulch include Washington Pass and Liberty Bell. 5. Birdwatching: The North Cascades are home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Visitors can spot birds such as bald eagles, osprey, and various songbirds while exploring the area's lush forests and meadows. Overall, SourDough Gulch and its surrounding area offer a wide range of outdoor recreational activities for nature enthusiasts to enjoy. Whether you prefer hiking, fishing, camping, rock climbing, or birdwatching, there is something for everyone to experience in this beautiful natural setting.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack depths

Cross-check whether Sourdough Gulch's snowpack is a one-off accumulation or a regional storm cycle.

Around the area

Recreation near Sourdough Gulch

Ski areas, reservoirs, paddle runs, campgrounds, and fishing access within driving distance.

Mountain & avalanche safety

Know before you go
Check today's avalanche bulletin from the regional avalanche center before any backcountry / side-country travel. Conditions can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon on storm days.
Carry the gear, know how to use it
Beacon, shovel, probe. Practice companion rescue on a calm day, not during a real burial.
Mind the weather window
Heavy snow + wind builds wind slabs at ridgelines. The day after a storm is often the riskiest in the backcountry.
Read the snowpack
A weak, faceted, or wind-loaded snowpack — like the depth and trend shown above — is exactly what feeds slab avalanches. Dig a pit or check the bulletin before committing to steep terrain.

Track Sourdough Gulch in the Snoflo app

Save this station as a favorite, set push alerts when snowfall crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Sourdough Gulch reports 6″ new"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment the SNOTEL station crosses.

FAQ

About Sourdough Gulch

Where does the snow data for Sourdough Gulch come from?

Snowpack depth, SWE, snowfall, and air temperature come from the NRCS SNOTEL station 985. Forecast comes from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.

How often is the report updated?

NRCS SNOTEL stations report continuously (typically hourly). Snoflo refreshes throughout the day; check the "as of" timestamp on the snowpack hero card.

What's the difference between snowpack depth and SWE?

Snowpack depth measures how tall the snow is. SWE (snow water equivalent) measures how much WATER is in that snow. SWE matters more for hydrology and ski-season prediction since dry powder packs less water than wet/spring snow at the same depth.

How is "% of normal" calculated?

Today's snowpack is compared to the historical average snowpack on this calendar day across the station's full record. 100% = right on average; 130% = a big year; 60% = a thin year.

Can I get alerts when fresh snow hits?

Yes -- snow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this station, set a snowfall threshold (e.g. "alert me when 6+ inches"), and you'll get a push the moment NRCS reports the crossing.