Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

As temperatures cool and snow returns, the mountains will undergo a transition. Wet, sloppy snow may still shed from rocky faces down low. Higher in the terrain, areas of drifted snow could produce small avalanches on steeper slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You probably won’t see fresh wind slabs everywhere however, as you ascend into areas of new snow that’s where you could trigger a small avalanche. These thin slabs should grow as you gain elevation and as the day goes by. 

    Fortunately, they should be easy to spot. Blowing snow, fresh, sharp drifts, and thicker pillows all indicate potential slabs. 

    Even though these avalanches should be pretty small, there are many exposed obstacles to hit. Getting injured or killed in an avalanche could be more a function of the slope below you than the size of the avalanche. Take a look at the potential consequences below before you step out onto a steep wind drift.

    (2/18/2023)

    Example: Signs of wind loading. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2

    Wet avalanche activity should be nearing its end. However, water could take another day to drain out of the snowpack. You could see a few isolated blocks of snow shed from cliffs and rocks. You don’t want to be under one when it falls. 

    Keep an eye on what’s above your head, and look for routes that help minimize the time you spend below rocky terrain still holding snow.

    (12/6/2023)

    Snow cover is thin! Steep rocky slopes like this could still shed their snow with little warning 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Yay! Snow should return to the Pass on Thursday. As it does so, the mountains will undergo a transition. While these days aren’t often particularly dangerous, they can be a bit tricky.

At lower elevations, you’ll likely still find wet, punchy snow. Nasty travel hazards like open creeks, holes around rocks, and plenty of exposed obstacles could pose a real hazard. As you ascend the snow surface should start to freeze, resulting in breakable crusts. Somewhere in the middle elevation band, you might notice a return to winter-like conditions. Exactly where is hard to pin down and may depend on the time of day. 

The Pass saw a wet and wild week. Nearly 12 inches of precipitation fell in the past seven days, much of that as rain. Snowpacks built and washed away, all in a matter of days. Weather stations show a loss of 50% (or more) from peak snow depth on Saturday.

Field observations from this time period have been very limited and we still don’t know the impact of the storm. NWAC forecasters took a quick tour of the Pass Wednesday and noted plenty of dirt, roaring creeks, and a few small debris piles. However, visibility hampered views into the higher peaks.

Regions covered