Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

More mixed precipitation types are on the way to Snoqualmie Pass. Expect rain and high-elevation snow, with the potential for freezing rain. Travel hazards are significant, so allow yourself extra time and bring the right equipment if you're heading to the mountains.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    If you encounter warm and weak snow, then take a moment to step out of your mode of travel and see how deeply you're sinking in. If you plunge in past your ankle, then wet avalanches are possible. The natural potential may have largely passed, but you might be able to push slides down on steep slopes. Although they may start small, they could pick up mass as they move downhill and fan out. Luckily, managing these slides is easy: head for lower-angled terrain.

    In isolated locations, you may see blocks of snow fall off rocky ledges. These can be hazardous themselves and may also initiate wet slides on the slopes below. If you see this type of activity, be cognizant of slopes above you.

    (1/1/2026)

    Pinwheels in a wet, weak, and sticky snow surface. If you see fresh pinwheels, then wet avalanches are possible in the surrounding terrain.

    Photo: Tom C

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    You'll likely need to reach a high elevation to find dry snow, but once you do, there may be unstable wind slabs. Look for them near ridgelines, on convex features, or near rocky terrain such as confined chutes or the base of cliffs. Textured surfaces, actively blowing snow, and fresh drifts are visual clues you can use to identify wind-loaded features to avoid. If they form over a firm crust, they could trigger easily. Using small test slopes, uptrack tests, or quick hand pits can help you gauge how large or sensitive these slabs may be. 

    (12/30/2025)

    Cracking of the snow surface in wind-drifted snow on Silver Peak. Uptrack tests or small test slopes can provide feedback like this to help you identify whether you have a wind slab problem.

    Photo: Arya Farahani

Avalanche Discussion

There's no way to sugarcoat the conditions - Snoqualmie Pass got hit with freezing rain. Reports are that the ice capping our snowpack extends up to roughly 4300'. Above that elevation, rain soaked at least as high as 5400'. There may be drier snow on the higher peaks, but we have no direct observations to confirm or deny this. 

Sadly, Friday night into Saturday isn't looking much better for winter lovers. Expect a similar pattern, with more rain and the potential for additional freezing rain and high-elevation snow. The silver lining is that freezing levels should be lowering slightly, and we may even get some blue sky Saturday afternoon. However, winds are expected to be stronger. We'll see how it all plays out, but Sunday is looking a bit more winter-like. So, we'll have to suffer through one more day and then take stock of what's left of our snowpack.

If you're heading out on Saturday, be aware that the freezing rain has created a slick, dangerous travel surface. If you can ascend above this ice rink, you should focus on wet avalanches. If you reach drier heights, you'll know it's time to switch your attention toward the recent storm snow.

Those travel hazards we've been harping on all season are just as prominent as ever. Holes, open creeks, rocks, and bushes are all commonplace in the mountains. Now we have the ice crust to contend with as well. Take it slow and don't get tripped up - there's a long season still ahead.

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