Snoqualmie Pass

An incoming atmospheric river will result in more travel hazards than avalanche risk at Snoqualmie Pass. That's largely due to the lack of snow found within the zone. If you're going to find an avalanche, it will be in the form of snow shedding from rocks on the highest peaks. 

Another day, another atmospheric river. Many of our communities are still reeling from last week's storms, and seeing an additional wet and windy one on our doorstep isn't exactly welcome news. This next storm will be more than warm enough for rain to fall on the tops of all of our mountains, and the winds will be strong to extreme.

As a result, you should expect travel to and from the mountains to increase in hazard yet again. Flooding, mudslides, washouts, and downed trees are just some of the problems from last week that could be reinvigorated by this storm. Upon reaching the hills, you'll need to climb above roughly 5500 feet in elevation before you encounter snow coverage adequate for recreation, and even then, it may be spotty. This is where you could encounter snow clinging to rocky faces that may shed without warning. 

Due to poor overall conditions and overlapping travel hazards, it may be best to wait out this storm at home. Snowier days are expected later this week. 

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.