Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Wednesday will be the finale in our warm weather block before a pattern change begins on Thursday. Focus on the slopes above you rather than under your feet. They're more likely to produce an avalanche than you are.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    During prolonged periods of warm and sunny weather, the threat of "shed-style" avalanches increases. We're not necessarily talking about your standard definition glides with this one, although we wouldn't be surprised to hear of one. We're more focused on random chunks of snow falling due to warmth. So keep an eye on what's above you. Limit the time spent traveling below crevasse-like cracks, blocks of snow clinging to rocky ledges/cliffs, or sagging cornices. 

    (1/26/2025)

    Glide cracks on the north face of Chair Peak. Just one of the overhead hazards you shouldn't linger below during periods of warm and sunny weather.

    Photo: Trevor Kostanich Ski Guide

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday should be the final day of warm temperatures before the weather shifts on Thursday. There's just enough uncertainty during these times to refrain from calling conditions low, but that doesn't mean it is particularly dangerous out there. Low-likelihood slides during prolonged periods of warm weather are difficult to predict, especially mid-winter. Don't fully turn your avalanche brain off and travel as if nothing is going on. You don't want to be surprised and ruin your season before the snow flies again.

Which is expected to happen later this week. So if you're out and about in one of your favorite locations, start paying attention to the distribution and location of weak surface snow. It may prove useful in the coming days. As of right now, there's no real discernable pattern on the surface that we can point to in terms of aspect or elevation. The only aspect we can talk about with certainty is steep southerly slopes, which are currently in a melt-freeze cycle. That means you'll find a firm surface crust in the morning before softening occurs throughout the day. Elsewhere, you'll encounter a mix of weak faceted snow, wind-press, firm icy crusts, and breakable crust. Under tree cover, challenging travel conditions still exist due to irregular frozen surfaces.

Are you seeing something different in terms of the distribution of weak surfaces? Let us know ahead of the incoming snow by submitting an observation.

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