Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

With no overnight refreeze and rising temperatures on Thursday, both natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches are possible. Avoid steep slopes nearby if you see rollerballs, recent wet slides, or are sinking into mushy snow. High-elevation slopes that were unaffected by Wednesday’s warmth may prove especially reactive to Thursday’s heat.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    After a day of sun and warmth on Wednesday, we suspect most of the surface snow is now wet or at least moist. You should anticipate widespread wet and mushy surface conditions and for wet loose avalanche danger to be present from the start of the day.

    While we don’t expect conditions to be quite as reactive as they were when the fresh snow first baked on Wednesday, wet loose avalanches will remain possible, and some could grow large enough to bury or injure a human. These slides may climb to higher elevations and wrap onto steeper, shadier slopes than you might expect. If you find dry snow at the surface, be especially cautious—once it starts to wet, it can become reactive quickly. With tons of wet snow below the surface, even small slides could gouge deeper and run larger. While we're not expecting big slides to start at lower elevations, Wednesday’s activity at the Pass showed that avalanches from above can easily run into those zones.

    Unfortunately, we also need to consider some lower-likelihood but higher-consequence wet avalanche problems. Wet slabs in the new or old snow, glide avalanches, cornice failures, and large chunks of snow peeling off rock faces (“blob-a-lanches”) remain plausible. You’re unlikely to trigger these yourself—but if one goes, it could be large and destructive. Managing this kind of uncertainty is personal, but acknowledging it and planning accordingly is key. If you're traveling on or below avalanche paths, minimize your exposure and keep moving to reduce the chances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    (4/9/2025)

    This wet loose avalanche released naturally on Wednesday as the sun warmed the snow surface. Avalanches like these remain possible on Thursday.

    Photo: Trevor Kostanich Ski Guide

Avalanche Discussion

Between 6–19" of snow fell from Monday through Wednesday morning at middle and upper elevations. On Wednesday, snow professionals reported warm temperatures, sunny skies, widespread wet loose activity, frequent tree bombs, and minimal wind effect. The snow surface was wet on nearly all aspects and elevations. Down low, travel has become thin and riddled with rocks, creeks, and branches, requiring careful and deliberate approaches for both entry and exit.

If you find cold, dry snow on Thursday, there remains a slight chance of triggering a pocket of wind-drifted snow—especially in complex, confined terrain near ridgelines or at the tops of gullies.

The snowpack is currently stuck in a slow and uneven transition toward spring. There’s free water moving about, some wet layers and interfaces, and significant portions that remain dry and wintry. In other words, it’s neither fully frozen nor fully transformed into a stable, well-drained spring snowpack. Big wet slides are unlikely—but not entirely off the table. Build a wide margin of safety into your day, and approach each slope with an open mind.

Finally, while we don't expect a little spritz of rain will be enough to tip the avalanche scales on Thursday afternoon, it's always a reasonable idea to call it a day when rain is falling on snow, especially if it is coming down heavier than expected.

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