Snoqualmie Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Dallas Glass
Issued: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineThere’s a lot of fresh snow at the Pass. Conditions could change significantly as you gain elevation and as the sun comes out. Choose terrain that lets you easily identify and avoid steep slopes and adapt to the dynamic weather.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 16, 2026
6500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4000ft2 - Moderate
4000-2500ft2 - Moderate
Friday, April 17, 2026
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
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 (2)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(2/20/2026)
Example: Subtle signs of wind loading along the more exposed ridges.
Photo: Dallas Glass
While you may trigger an avalanche within the storm snow on very steep slopes, the real danger lies in places where the wind created thicker and firmer slabs. You may be balancing two versions of this same problem. Fortunately, you can avoid both by just giving potentially wind loaded slopes a wide berth.
Strong winds on Thursday could build fresh slabs along ridges, in the tops of chutes, and near exposed mid slope features. Blowing snow can help you see exactly where these wind loaded pockets are forming. With winds out of the NW, you may find new slabs in some strange places.
Older slabs likely formed during the meat of the storm Tuesday night. These could be harder to trigger, but may fail deeper into the recent storm snow. Sharp cornices and drifts should point towards where these older wind loaded areas lie.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(2/10/2026)
Example: A natural wet loose avalanche that originated near a snowy cliff. Although not large, these slides are dense. You don't want one to push you into a terrain trap.
Photo: Andy Harrington
This problem is all about the sky. There could be enough sunshine on Thursday to make this a big issue. Your first clue will be snow falling out of trees and off rocks. Some of these snow bombs could form rollerballs. If it stays sunny and warm, natural wet loose avalanches will likely follow. However, if conditions remain cloudy most of the day, you may not see much of an issue at all.
If this problem starts to come alive, plan ahead. Look for routes that help you avoid traveling on or under steep sunny slopes. While most of these slides should stay fairly small, large, rocky, alpine faces could produce big wet avalanches.
Forecast Discussion
The Pass did well during this storm. On Wednesday, avalanche professionals in the Alpental Valley found 2 feet of fresh snow over the 4/14 crust above 4500ft. Not bad! They noted the new snow was mostly right-side-up.
Several items make us less confident than normal about this forecast. The dynamic spring weather and lack of information leads to a higher level of uncertainty. With conditions like this, take time to poke and prod the new snow before committing to bigger slopes. You’ll want to check all the storm snow, including how it’s bonded to the underlying obvious crust. If it failed in blocks or slides easily, dial it back, and give the new snow time to heal. Below the 4/14 crust, the upper snowpack is strong and stable. Until these stout crusts weaken, we don’t expect any issues deeper in the snowpack.
The new snow certainly helps travel conditions. Unfortunately, it may also hide some of the nasty obstacles we’ve been dodging. Don’t let the powder blind you. Open creeks, holes, bare ground, and rocks may lurk just below the surface.
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.