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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Conditions aren’t particularly dangerous, but there’s just enough snow clinging to the rocks, and it’s still very warm at middle and upper elevations. Be mindful of the terrain above you, and don’t dilly dally underneath snow covered rocks and cliffs.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Glide and shed-style avalanches are very different from most of our other avalanche problems. Instead of being worried about triggering the slide, we’re more concerned with isolated large natural avalanches. Additionally, there’s not much you can do to assess them. Predicting if and when any individual slope will release is impossible. 

    The best thing you can do is simply limit your exposure to this overhead hazard, and that’s pretty easy. Pick spots to stop, rest, and talk that aren’t below snow covered rocky slopes or underneath crevasse like glide cracks. When you travel below rocky faces, be efficient. You don’t have to move super fast, but don’t lolly-gag either.

    At this point in the glide cycle, the likelihood of this problem decreases each day. We’re probably getting to the very unlikely side of the scale, but glide avalanches often surprise us. 

    (1/17/2026) Photo: Kyle M

Avalanche Discussion

For most locations, the avalanche danger will feel generally safe, and it is, unless you happen to encounter one of these rogue glide or shed avalanches. This can make it hard to stay focused on the hazard. One of the best observations you can make is looking at the weather stations. The top of Alpental has barely dropped below 32F since January 9th! That was ten days ago!! Even though the snow surface may freeze at night, it’s hot! Really hot at upper elevations. 

While it’s warm up high, easterly flow continues to make the Pass cold and wintry. You could find windy conditions, fog, and chilly temperatures, particularly near and east of the Pass proper. This should keep the snowpack locked up and the avalanche danger low. 

A slow trickle of reported glide/shed avalanches stretched through most of the past week. The last recorded slide was on Saturday, 1/17. Is the cycle finally over? Hard to say. 

One thing is for sure, the rain and warm weather really took their toll on the snowpack around the Pass. Bare ground, exposed rocks, random holes, open creeks, and trees/bushes galore make even simple outings much more challenging. Additionally, the snow surface may be firm and icy in some areas. A small slip could result in a long, uncontrolled fall if you aren’t ready.

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