Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Another warm day will maintain the potential for wet avalanches in the mountains. Loose slides are more likely to occur on steep, sun-exposed slopes during the morning hours. Once the rain begins, distribution will expand to all steep slopes, and the likelihood of larger slides will increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunday will be another day where wet loose avalanches are possible, but the details are changing. You'll need to manage both solar-induced and potentially rain-influenced wet slides throughout the day. We've been in a warm period since Thursday without a solid refreeze. Each day, we receive reports that the snow is getting "ripe" in the sunshine and is becoming pushable enough for wet avalanches. Natural slides have occurred and may continue to do so. Expect similar conditions on Sunday morning, at least until the clouds roll in. 

    At that point, round two of wet loose slides could occur as rain starts to fall. There isn't much dry snow out there, but whatever hasn't been beaten down by the sun could quickly destabilize. Slopes that are already wet and sticky could reach a tipping point with an influx of rain. Similarly, sagging cornices or snow clinging to rocks will have a higher likelihood of falling. Peak activity could occur Sunday night, but with long daylight hours and people pushing further into the mountains, it's worth having these larger and more dangerous slides on your radar during the forecast period.

    In either scenario, look for rollerballs, pinwheels, or fan-shaped avalanche debris. If you're sinking into wet and sticky snow deeper than your ankle, you should head for lower-angled terrain, remaining aware of what's above you.

    (4/4/2025)

    Wet loose avalanche activity on the south side of Granite Moutain. Expect to see a lot of this on Sunday due to continued warm weather and potentially rain.

    Photo: Arya Farahani

Avalanche Discussion

Our warm weather will continue for at least one more day as we transition to a rainy pattern on Sunday afternoon/evening. The timing of the rain is uncertain; however, it is advisable to make travel plans that allow you to return to your car quickly once it begins. We're not exactly talking about an atmospheric river catastrophe here, but roughly an inch of rain is expected from Sunday afternoon through Monday night. That will be enough to potentially cause some larger blocks of snow to fall from rocky ledges or sagging cornices. The roughly foot of snow over the March AR could fail more readily, sliding on the underlying crust. Will it be enough to get down to the weaker snow below the March AR crust? We're not too sure of that, but in isolated locations, we wouldn't rule it out. Wet snow avalanches are challenging to predict and can behave in unexpected ways. So, build yourself an extra buffer of safety by limiting your overhead exposure once the rain begins. With so much wet and weak snow on or near the surface, wet slides could entrain and grow large as they descend.

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. 

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