Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The rain won't stop coming this week, saturating our snowpack and keeping dangerous wet avalanches front and center. The main conern revolves around very large and unpredictable slides traveling long distances toward valley bottoms. Choose travel routes that limit your time spent on or below large open slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Large to very large wet avalanches are now front and center at Snoqualmie Pass. We're talking about wet slabs and glides, which are unpredictable, can travel long distances to valley bottoms, and would have dire consequences if you were to get caught up in one.

    You will likely still see some wet loose out there, starting at a point and gaining mass as they move downhill. Regardless of the avalanche character, any slide has the potential to gouge down into last week's storm snow, creating dense, powerful, and difficult to escape avalanches.

    Your best bet continues to be limiting the amount of time you spend below large open slopes, sagging cornices, or rocky ledges with snow clinging to them. This includes being aware of terrain far above you and limiting your exposure to terrain traps.

    (3/18/2026)

    A glide avalanche on Rockface at Alpental. It occurred on Wednesday morning. Similar slides will be front and center as rain continues throughout the week.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

This has been a long, drawn-out rain event at Snoqualmie Pass. As of Wednesday evening, we have received just over 4 inches of rain since Sunday. While the number of avalanches each day has likely decreased, the size of the ones that do fail has certainly increased. As an example, a glide avalanche occurred at Alpental on Wednesday morning.

Slides like these will be the focus moving forward. You won't be warned before one happens. Although we sometimes forecast these low-likelihood, high-consequence events at Moderate danger, this seems like a time to lean into the travel advice and recognize that dangerous conditions exist in the mountains. 

On Wednesday, NWAC forecasters took a drive around the Pass to gather information. They found an entirely different scene compared to last weekend, when 5+ feet of snow had blanketed the mountains. Now creeks are swollen and wet avalanche debris litters the landscape, along with runnels, exposed rocks, holes, and soggy unconsolidated surfaces.

It's supposed to keep raining for a few more days, which should maintain the threat of wet slides. You know what they say, unusual weather can lead to unusual avalanches. This is certainly one of those times. As a precautionary measure, you may want to consider avoiding all avalanche terrain - anywhere an avalanche can start, run, or stop.

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