Snowfield Peak
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| Snowfield Peak | |
|---|---|
 Snowfield Peak seen from Neve Peak | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,351 ft (2,545 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 2,907 ft (886 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | 48°38′07″N 121°08′18″W / 48.63528°N 121.13833°W[2] |
| Geography | |
  Snowfield Peak Location in Washington  Snowfield Peak Location in the United States | |
| Location | Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Diablo Dam |
Snowfield Peak (8,351 feet (2,545 m)) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] Located in the south unit of the park, Snowfield Peak is .70 mi (1.13 km) east of the summit known as Horsemans Pack and the Neve Glacier descends from the north slopes of the mountain.
Snowfield Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[4] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C).[4] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer.[5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[5]
