Snoqualmie Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Dallas Glass
Issued: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineAs snow starts to accumulate, expect the avalanche danger to slowly rise. Slabs could form along exposed ridges, near the base of cliffs, and in the tops of chutes. Be leery of firmer piles of fresh snow, particularly in higher consequence terrain.
Avalanche Danger
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4000ft2 - Moderate
4000-2500ft1 - Low
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
6500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4000ft2 - Moderate
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. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(1/6/2026)
Example: Actively blowing snow and generally stormy conditions. When you see this, start thinking wind slabs.
Photo: Andy Harrington
There may not be very many, or any, wind slabs out there to start the day. As snowfall increases, strong winds should quickly build fresh slabs on the lee side of exposed terrain. Fortunately, this developing problem should be pretty obvious. The howling winds, blowing snow, and stormy weather should give you a solid clue, conditions are changing.
Pay attention to where the snow drifts and forms deeper pockets. These are the features that could begin to produce avalanches as they grow. Most of these slabs will start off very small and inconsequential, but they could become bigger and more problematic at higher elevations and later in the day.
Forecast Discussion
Welcome back winter! Tuesday will be the start of a series of storms that should return snow to the Pass. After a week of minimal avalanche danger, we’ll need to remind ourselves that winter isn’t fully over. Expect Low danger in the morning. However, after a few inches of new snow accumulate, that will start to change. As the storm rolls into the evening, the avalanche hazard should continue to rise.
We expect the new snow to bond fairly well to the old, warm, and irregular surface. This helps and makes it harder to trigger avalanches. Quick hand pits and hand shears can let you keep tabs on this throughout the day. If you find the new snow slides off easily and suddenly, then avalanches may be easier to trigger than previously thought.
Near and just above the rain line, wet heavy snow could produce plenty of rollerballs and maybe even a couple of small wet loose slides. With only a few inches of new snow, these avalanches shouldn’t be very big and likely won’t cause much of a problem; however, they could be the most in your face sign of unstable snow. Below the rain-snow line, the snowpack is so beat up that more rain won’t make a difference.
The most significant layer in the snowpack continues to be the 3/25 crust. This may be at or very near the surface on southerly slopes. In shaded terrain, it’s often 6-12 inches (15-30cm) down. This stout layer has helped keep the snowpack “locked up" and recent avalanches small. Until it weakens significantly, we aren’t worried about layers deeper in the snowpack.
While the new snow is a welcome sight, it won’t do much to help coverage, particularly at lower elevations and on southerly aspects. Not gonna lie, it’s rough out there. Open creeks, significant bare ground, random holes, exposed rocks, and downed trees all make moving through the mountains challenging. However, on shaded slopes and at higher elevations, there is fun, continuous snow to enjoy. Just take your time and travel through all the obstacles with caution.
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.