Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The mountains aren’t particularly dangerous right now, but snow certainly showed its propensity to shed from steep rocky slopes the past few days. While these avalanches aren’t common, you don’t want to be there if one happens. Try to minimize the time you spend below snow covered rocks and cliffs.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

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

    This isn’t an avalanche you're likely to trigger. In fact, you could spend your entire day in the mountains and not see one. However, the constant trickle of avalanches over the past several days shows this issue hasn’t gone away. Travelers reported classic glide avalanches, blocks of snow shedding from rocks, and even a few wet loose slides that gouge into older snow.

    The best thing you can do is recognize the terrain where these slides could happen. They often occur in very steep, unsupported, and rocky terrain, and where you see crevasse like glide cracks. Since it’s impossible to predict exactly if or when any particular slope will fail, the best thing you can do is spend as little time as possible below these areas. While they may be unlikely, these avalanches will probably be big, nasty, and deadly 

    Ultimately, this problem is all about limiting your exposure. The longer you play in the street, the more likely you are to get hit by a car. The longer you hang out under steep rocky terrain… well, you get the idea.

    A glide avalanche that overran a snowmobile road out of the Crystal Springs Snopark. Note the rocky slopes above where the slide originated.  (1/17/2026) Photo: Kyle M

Avalanche Discussion

We’re stuck in a persistent pattern, and not much seems to be changing day to day. This is all thanks to a high-pressure ridge that’s taken up residence over the western US, leaving us with generally warm temperatures and sunny skies. Not surprisingly, this has led to a relatively stagnant avalanche setup.

One of the tricks on Sunday is that avalanche conditions will probably feel generally safe. And they are, unless you happen to be unlucky enough to see one of these isolated large glide avalanches release. Long, clear nights will allow for snow surfaces to lock up solid. Colder air at lower elevations and cool easterly winds could keep many slopes from softening at all on Sunday. Instead, long uncontrolled slides might be the scarier issue. 

Steep southerly slopes should eventually soften in the sunshine. If enough wet, mushy snow develops on the surface, you might be able to push a small wet loose slide, but this seems unlikely and would probably take considerable effort.

The last time the top of Alpental dropped below freezing was a week ago! Between last weekend’s rain and this week’s warm sunny weather, the snowpack took quite the hit. Sure, it’s January, but we’re still dealing with open creeks, random holes, exposed rocks, and tons and tons of trees/bushes. Between the slick surfaces and all the obstacles, simply traveling might be the greatest hazard of the day. As we impatiently await a return to winter, enjoy the sunshine and stunning mountain views.

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