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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may trigger an avalanche near and above of the rain-snow line. These slides should be generally small but could run quickly over a crust. Don’t let one of these avalanches catch you by surprise in high-consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    As you ascend, the snow should transition from wet to dry. At these higher elevations, shallow storm slabs may develop due to fluctuations in temperature, grain type, or wind effect. Be leery of convex rollovers, unsupported slopes, and wind-loaded features. 

    Uptrack tests, hand pits, and small slopes can help you look for strong over weak snow that might produce an avalanche. If you see the snow fail in blocks, you’ve found the problem. Since there’s not that much new snow, these slabs should be smaller, but they can still harm you if they push you off a cliff or into a rock. 

    A Puget Sound Convergence Zone Monday night could bring more snow than anticipated. If you find more than 8-10 in, expect larger avalanches and more dangerous conditions.

    (2/28/2024)

    An uptrack test failing on the old/new interface and cracking. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

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

    You’re most likely to trigger loose avalanches where you find new snow that is wet and heavy. This often occurs near and just above the rain-snow line. You may see rollerballs or the snow sloughing from underneath you. On longer slopes, these slides could turn into real avalanches. Don’t let them carry you into a creek. 

    In the afternoon, the sun may come out, and temperatures could spike. It doesn’t take blue skies; even filtered sunshine can heat things up. If this happens, expect natural wet avalanches. These will be most prominent near and below rocky faces. If you see a barrage of rollerballs the scales are starting to tip. In some cases, big blocks of snow could shed from cliffs and produce larger avalanches. Pay attention to the slopes above you, and limit any time you spend below steep sunny slopes.

    (3/25/2024)

    These large wet avalanches likely occurred on Sunday 3/24 as snow shed off the cliffs above. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Our mild, wet spring-like weather continues along with its dynamic conditions. A weak front and Puget Sound Convergence Zone should bring several more inches of snow to the Pass Monday night and Tuesday morning. How much snow, will vary greatly by elevation. Some of the higher peaks could pick up another 6-8 inches. 

On Monday, showers brought 2-3 inches to middle elevations and closer to 5 inches at upper elevations. The “magic line” seemed to be about 4500ft, where the new snow changed from wet to dry. Below the recent snow, a variable crust started to freeze. It wasn’t very supportable on Monday. 

Below 3500 feet, no significant new snow accumulated. At these lower elevations, the recent warm weather and rain took a toll on the snowpack. Wet punch snow exists throughout the terrain. Expect open creeks, shallow coverage, and tree debris. 

Several large natural wet avalanches occurred on Sunday around the Pass. These slides released during a period of warm sunny weather. The bigger avalanches were generally confined to rocky terrain where wet loose and shed-style slides gouged deeper into the snowpack.

Regions covered