Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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

Highlights

Until the snowpack fully “locks up,” blocks of snow could continue to shed off very steep slopes, rocks, and cornices. Even though these avalanches are unlikely, you don’t want to be underneath if they happen. Don’t spend any more time than necessary below these features.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

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

    It always takes a bit for wet avalanche issues to fully draw to a close. Without a solid freeze, there’s still a chance for snow to continue to shed rocks and ridges. While you could see a more classic glide avalanche, this problem also includes snow falling off rocks and chunks of cornice collapsing. All of these slides have the same things in common. You won’t be able to assess if or when they will happen, and you don’t want to be underneath if a block of snow decides to let go. 

    This isn’t a particularly scary situation, but it’s also not generally safe. The best thing you can do is pay attention to what’s above you and look for ways to minimize any time you spend below overhead hazards.

    (3/2/2025)

    Snow precariously hanging to a rocky ledge with a waterfall running down the middle.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

As of Sunday afternoon, reports from around the Pass were that the snow surfaces remained generally wet and soft. It’s hard to say if that will change or not. A little clearing Sunday night could allow the surface to cool and a crust to form, but if it stays cloudy, the snow might stay wet. Slightly cooler and windier weather may also make the surface a bit crunchier. However, none of these scenarios allow the warm, wet snowpack to lock up and freeze solid. Only at upper elevations should it be cold enough to put wet avalanche issues to bed. 

If the snow surface is wet and soft, you may be able to push a bit of snow on very steep slopes, but it’s unlikely these tiny wet loose slides will gain enough speed or mass to pose any danger. Similarly, a dusting of new snow shouldn’t generate any real issues. And, a bit of light rain on an already wet snowpack at lower elevations won’t change conditions. Basically, it’s more about the warm and wet snow that developed during last week’s spring-like weather than it is about Monday’s precipitation. 

Observations from Sunday highlighted the chance for wet snow slides even as the weather starts to cool. Shed-style avalanches were reported from Alpental, Commonwealth Basin, and Pineapple Pass/Bryant Peak. Even though these events will be a bit less likely on Monday, they probably won't be fully wrapped up. 

Regions covered