Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

As snow starts to accumulate, expect the avalanche danger to slowly rise. Slabs could form along exposed ridges, near the base of cliffs, and in the tops of chutes. Be leery of firmer piles of fresh snow, particularly in higher consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There may not be very many, or any, wind slabs out there to start the day. As snowfall increases, strong winds should quickly build fresh slabs on the lee side of exposed terrain. Fortunately, this developing problem should be pretty obvious. The howling winds, blowing snow, and stormy weather should give you a solid clue, conditions are changing. 

    Pay attention to where the snow drifts and forms deeper pockets. These are the features that could begin to produce avalanches as they grow. Most of these slabs will start off very small and inconsequential, but they could become bigger and more problematic at higher elevations and later in the day.

    (1/6/2026)

    Example: Actively blowing snow and generally stormy conditions. When you see this, start thinking wind slabs. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Welcome back winter! Tuesday will be the start of a series of storms that should return snow to the Pass. After a week of minimal avalanche danger, we’ll need to remind ourselves that winter isn’t fully over. Expect Low danger in the morning. However, after a few inches of new snow accumulate, that will start to change. As the storm rolls into the evening, the avalanche hazard should continue to rise. 

We expect the new snow to bond fairly well to the old, warm, and irregular surface. This helps and makes it harder to trigger avalanches. Quick hand pits and hand shears can let you keep tabs on this throughout the day. If you find the new snow slides off easily and suddenly, then avalanches may be easier to trigger than previously thought. 

Near and just above the rain line, wet heavy snow could produce plenty of rollerballs and maybe even a couple of small wet loose slides. With only a few inches of new snow, these avalanches shouldn’t be very big and likely won’t cause much of a problem; however, they could be the most in your face sign of unstable snow. Below the rain-snow line, the snowpack is so beat up that more rain won’t make a difference. 

The most significant layer in the snowpack continues to be the 3/25 crust. This may be at or very near the surface on southerly slopes. In shaded terrain, it’s often 6-12 inches (15-30cm) down. This stout layer has helped keep the snowpack “locked up" and recent avalanches small. Until it weakens significantly, we aren’t worried about layers deeper in the snowpack.

While the new snow is a welcome sight, it won’t do much to help coverage, particularly at lower elevations and on southerly aspects. Not gonna lie, it’s rough out there. Open creeks, significant bare ground, random holes, exposed rocks, and downed trees all make moving through the mountains challenging. However, on shaded slopes and at higher elevations, there is fun, continuous snow to enjoy. Just take your time and travel through all the obstacles with caution.

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