Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

We just wrapped up a storm that brought a winter refresh to Snoqualmie Pass. Expect deeper snow and more avalanche potential as you ascend in elevation, particularly in areas exposed to wind. Down low, you may find tricky travel conditions and a multitude of early-season hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Monday, you’re more likely to trigger an avalanche in areas where the wind drifted the new snow into deeper drifts. Wind slabs commonly form along the leeward side of ridgelines, at the base of cliffs, or in confined chutes/gullies. Approach these areas cautiously and look for visual clues such as pillow-like drifts, textured surfaces, or fresh cornices to help determine if wind-loading may be present. 

    (12/8/2024)

    Visual clues such as actively blowing snow, fresh cornices, or pillow-like drifts can help identify wind-loaded slopes to avoid.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

After a warm and wet start to the weekend, Snoqualmie Pass received a much-needed shot of snow on Sunday - blanketing mid and upper elevations and creating the 12/7 interface. Close to a foot fell at the top of Alpental. Lower elevations were a mixed bag, with rain, freezing rain, and snow all recorded throughout the weekend.

You could find that mountain access is difficult, with exposed rocks, open creeks, and other early-season conditions down low. If you persevere, increasing snow depths and a more winterlike scene await you as you travel through mid and upper elevations - accompanied by more avalanche potential.

Unfortunately, this barrier to entry has limited the amount of observations within the zone. Apart from a public observation about a ski party at Summit West on Sunday, we are relying mostly on weather station information and reports from neighboring zones. Help us out by submitting your observations.

Before this weekend’s storm, weak snow on and near the surface was observed throughout the Cascades. With rain well over ridgecrest on Saturday (and freezing rain down low), the majority of these weak grains were likely destroyed. Still, keep it in the back of your mind if you venture toward high-elevation shaded slopes, particularly in the eastern half of the zone. Similarly, the rain may have seeped toward the bottom of the snowpack and kicked off glide activity on rocky ledges. Don’t linger under precariously hanging blocks of snow or large cracks.

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