Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

As you climb into stronger winds and fresh snow, your chances of triggering an avalanche will increase. Avalanche size will also trend upward with elevation gain, though limited snowfall should keep most activity on the smaller side. Use fresh cornices and actively blowing snow to pinpoint the direction of wind loading, and steer toward more wind sheltered terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind slab hazard will likely peak early Sunday morning, driven by fresh overnight snowfall and elevated winds. The overall danger will depend on how much new snow accumulates and how efficiently the wind transports it. The most likely place to find an unstable wind slab will be at upper elevations, near ridgelines and cliff bands, with decreasing potential at middle elevations due to less snow. Wind speeds and snowfall are expected to drop off early Sunday morning, meaning there will be little change to the distribution through the day. 

    Keep in mind, even a small avalanche can drag you into consequential terrain. The key to this problem is identifying terrain that's wind-loaded and avoiding it. As you approach ridgelines and exposed slopes, look for dense, wind-compacted surfaces and cracking surface snow as signs of loading.

    (1/8/2026)

    A shallow natural slab avalanche at the base of a cliff. This was at lower elevations on January 8th.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Saturday was a wet and soggy day in Snoqualmie Pass, with snow levels around 5,500 feet. Up top, about three inches of snow accumulated, while middle and lower elevations saw steady rain for most of the day. Alpental recorded 0.58" of water at the base. Ridgeline winds were mainly from the southwest, with southeasterly winds holding at Pass level. Observers noted mixed surface conditions: firm surfaces in valley bottoms, and soft, punchy snow mid-slope. No new avalanche activity was reported.

Upper-elevation snow and lower-elevation rain will continue overnight Saturday, tapering off sometime early Sunday morning. Snow levels will drop to lower elevations Sunday, but it may be too late for significant snowfall. The current snowpack at Snoqualmie Pass consists of large, wet-grain surface snow over a series of melt-freeze crusts down to the ground. Avalanche concern is focused on any new snow on the current surface. That said, with rain-on-snow, there’s always a chance of snow sliding off steep rocky terrain or shedding from slick rock surfaces, so watch what you stand under.

In terms of snow coverage, the ongoing rain at lower and middle elevations isn’t helping. Expect thin conditions, with most creeks wide open and large stretches of dirt and rock exposed on south and west facing slopes.

Regions covered