Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet avalanche activity will be front and center on Saturday as temperatures rise in the spring sunshine. Slides are more likely to occur on steep, sun-exposed slopes or near rocky outcrops. Although less likely, larger blocks of snow, such as cornices, might sag and fall.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Expect another warm and sunny morning to destabilize the snow surface, resulting in wet loose activity. If an overnight crust forms, it should break down after a few hours. We often consider wet loose slides as small and easy to manage, but with so much warm weather and a good bed surface in place, they could grow large and fan out as they descend. All the snow above March's AR crust is in play for wet avalanches this weekend, so take a moment to figure out how much exists wherever you're recreating. It could be as much as a foot. 

    Wet loose slides will be easier to trigger on steep, sun-exposed slopes or near rocky outcrops where the snowpack is weaker. Make travel plans that minimize your overhead exposure and steer you clear of terrain traps, where even a small slide could become consequential.

    (4/4/2025)

    Wet loose avalanche activity on the south side of Granite Moutain. Expect to see a lot of this over the weekend.

    Photo: Arya Farahani

Avalanche Discussion

Saturday will bring about another springtime weather battle. This round features sunny and warm weather vs. increasing cloud cover ahead of our next storm system. With a poor overnight refreeze expected, our hunch is that you will probably see wet avalanche activity on Saturday morning. The questions become how long it will last and whether anything bigger will fail. The size bit is the million-dollar question in the spring. We're turning up the heat on Saturday, but we've been on a steady climb for a few days now, which helps. We just went through a significant, very large wet cycle last week, which also helps. Above last week's March AR crust, there's roughly a foot of snow in favored locations available to avalanche this weekend, which could limit the size. However, cornices are looming, and blocks of snow are still clinging to rocks and cliffs. Many of these failed last week, but those that remain could receive the extra nudge they've been waiting for from Saturday's weather. Keep aware of what's above you and limit the time you spend traveling under these hazards.

Despite all of this talk about recent warm and wet weather, the snowpack has still not fully transitioned from winter to spring. The mid-snowpack is comprised of moist melt forms, but below, it's still cold and layered. At lower elevations, it's close to completing its transition. This is particularly true on southerly slopes where there may not be sufficient snow for an avalanche. Bare ground has emerged and creeks have opened. Even if this reduces the avalanche risk, it increases the travel hazard. 

Regions covered