Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Extended rain and warming temperatures have produced dangerous avalanche conditions. You could trigger a wet avalanche anywhere the rain has fallen on snow.  Avoid traveling on steep slopes that picked up rain, and limit your time underneath unsupported, rocky features.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The severity of wet avalanche activity will depend largely on how much rain falls Sunday night into Monday. Regardless, temperatures will continue to rise, and the surface snow will begin to pick up water as it rains. Peak avalanche activity is most likely overnight, when the bulk of the rain is expected. But, if rain persists into Monday, the potential for avalanche activity will continue as well. A natural avalanche cycle is also possible sometime Sunday night into Monday morning.

    Loose wet avalanches may also be triggered by snow shedding from trees and rocks, and once initiated, can entrain large amounts of snow as they travel. Roller balls, natural releases, and active snow shedding are clear signs of an ongoing avalanche problem. If you see these indicators, wet loose avalanches are still a hazard. Avoid traveling on steep slopes with heavy, wet snow. As the day progresses and precipitation tapers, this problem may become less pronounced.

    (3/27/2025)

    Wet avalanche activity on Kendall Peak spotted last season. Avalanches like these could occur on Monday as rain and warm weather continues.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche Fatality: On Friday, January 9th, four backcountry skiers were caught and carried by a large avalanche while descending near Longs Pass in the Teanaway River drainage. The slide occurred on an S to SE facing slope at approximately 6200ft. One member of the party was not buried. Another teammate was partially buried but injured. The other two individuals were fully buried. During the initial rescue, the team located one of the buried victims, who did not survive. Despite the group's best efforts, they could not pinpoint the fourth member of their team. The party contacted 911 via a satellite device, and Kittitas County Search and Rescue responded to the area on Friday evening. Additional rescue efforts were postponed until daylight. Search and Rescue then returned to the site on Saturday and were joined by NWAC forecasters. The teams were able to locate the remaining victim. Unfortunately, neither of the fully buried skiers survived. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of those involved in this avalanche accident.  S-SE aspect, 6200ft, Avg Depth 2ft, HS-AS-R3-D2.5-O

Discussion: 

Wet and warm weather has returned to Snoqualmie Pass. Rain began Sunday morning and continued through the day, delivering over 0.6 inches of water to Alpental. Easterly flow helped keep low-elevation temperatures slightly cooler than surrounding areas early on, but temperatures eventually climbed above freezing. Observers in the Alpental Valley reported roller balls, snow shedding from trees, and a few small natural wet loose avalanches releasing from steep, rocky terrain.

Snoqualmie Pass sits near a divide in precipitation, Sunday night into Monday. Northern zones are expected to receive significantly more precipitation, while the West South zone is forecast to see much less. This creates uncertainty regarding how much rain will actually fall at the Pass. If significant rain occurs overnight, Monday could present dangerous avalanche conditions anywhere rain-on-snow occurred. Snow shedding from rocky slopes and trees may also pose a significant hazard on Monday. While traveling, pay close attention to the terrain above you and limit time spent beneath steep, unsupported slopes and rocky features.

A few new glide avalanches were spotted near Snow Lake on Saturday. It’s difficult to say what brought these slopes to failure, but similar glide activity may continue with the ongoing warm and wet trend.

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