Snoqualmie Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Sam Clairmont
Issued: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineA bump in temperature could increase springtime hazards on Thursday. Firm surfaces to start, will gradually soften into the afternoon. Watch out for snow shedding off rocks and cliffs, weakened and collapsing cornices, and isolated wet avalanche activity on sunny slopes.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 9, 2026
6500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-4000ft1 - Low
4000-2500ft1 - Low
Friday, April 10, 2026
6500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-4000ft1 - Low
4000-2500ft1 - Low
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low |  2 - Moderate |  3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Forecast Discussion
It sure feels like spring out there! Wednesday brought sunny skies with temperatures 5-10F warmer than Tuesday. Observers in the Kaleetan Peak area reported a good overnight refreeze, with crampons offering easier travel at times. Southerly aspects softened and offered good travel. Northerly aspects near Chair Peak and Snow Lake Divide stayed firm. No new avalanche activity was reported.
Thursday will be fairly similar to Wednesday, with temperatures climbing ~10F warmer than Wednesday. Wind will shift easterly, but this won't do much for cooling. Even with the warm-up, we don't expect any significant change in snow stability, but you might find small, isolated areas of unstable wet snow. These slides are most likely to occur on sunny slopes around warming rocks and cliffs, and areas with a lot of sun reflection, like in snow-covered bowls.
We haven’t seen many cornices collapsing recently, but it’s that time of year when it won’t take much for them to crack and fall. Along with the cornices, there are still large patches of snow clinging to rocks and cliffs. At some point, that snow has to fall, and I’d bet it’s sooner rather than later. Limit your time beneath this type of terrain, and if you're traveling near ridgelines, give cornices a little extra room. Even a small cornice collapse could hurt you, or knock you over.
If you're getting any early start to the day, prepare for extra firm surfaces, and bring the proper equipment to prevent a long, sliding fall.
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.