Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Continued precipitation, warming temperatures, and a tricky snowpack will combine to create dynamic and overlapping avalanche concerns. Conditions could change drastically throughout the day. A complicated setup like this can best be addressed by sticking to terrain where it's easy to identify and avoid avalanche slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    There’s already 8-12 inches of snow at middle elevations, and more is on the way. This fresh snow was producing small avalanches on Thursday. As temperatures warm, it could turn up-side-down and cause slides to become even easier to trigger. Slabs could fail within the storm snow or near the new-old interface. This is easily marked by a developing crust or wet snow. 

    While avalanches could occur on any steep open slope, they’ll be more likely in unsupported terrain, on convex rollovers, or in wind loaded snow. A few avalanches may even occur naturally. On Thursday, these slides were generally found in very steep terrain near the base of cliffs and rocks.

    (3/5/2026) Photo: Northwest Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

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

    Near and just above the rain-snow line, wet heavy snow could result in point-release avalanches. These may release naturally as snow sheds from rocks and trees, or you might trigger one on a very steep slope. These slides may run easily on the new-old snow interface, especially if it's formed even a thin crust. 

    Wet loose slides often feel common and easy to manage. On Friday, these slides could run the length of the steep slopes, and be heavy enough to drag you with them. Don’t let one push you over a cliff or stuff you into a creek.

    (3/5/2026) Photo: Northwest Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    This problem is hard to nail down in dynamic weather like this. It’s difficult to say how it will react to the warming temperatures. The relatively smaller wet loose and storm slab avalanches could act as a trigger for one of these deeper slides.

    Weak layers of snow have been well documented around the zone; however, there hasn’t been any recent avalanche activity. On Thursday, avalanche professionals noticed water starting to impact these weak grains. In the short term, that could make them easier to trigger. 

    Unfortunately, it won’t be easy to assess this problem. They will be more likely in larger, complex, and rocky terrain. With the additional avalanche problems, this is a good time to give large, steep slopes a wide berth.

    (3/3/2026)

    A snow profile on a sunny aspect highlighting the main persistent weak layer of concern. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Sadly, temperatures with this storm are heading in the wrong direction. After snowing at Pass level on Thursday, rain should slowly creep back up the hillside on Friday. The fresh snow was already thick, and this probably won’t help. The snow should bond well to the old surface (3/4). As this old wet snow freezes it will form a new crust. 

Persistent Weak Layers

  • Generally above about 4000ft
  • 2/13 Surface Hoar/Facets: N aspects, about 4-6 inches above the 2/7 crust.
  • 2/7 Crust: All aspects. Facets over the stout crust. 
  • Both layers may be moist or wet

Coverage continues to be a thorn in our side. Holes, creeks, logs, and bare ground need extra time to navigate. 

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