You've probably seen the headlines or heard the rumors about the "June-uary" trend hitting the Cascades lately. Honestly, if you’re looking at the Snoqualmie Pass extended weather forecast, the next few days might look more like an early April hiking window than a mid-January powder fest.
It’s kinda wild. We're sitting in the middle of winter, yet the current conditions at Snoqualmie Pass are staying remarkably dry and unseasonably mild. If you're planning a trip over I-90 or hitting the Summit at Snoqualmie, you need to look past the "sunny" icons on your phone app. There is a lot more happening with the air layers and road surfaces than a simple temperature reading suggests.
👉 See also: Bay City Weather MI: Why the Saginaw Bay Makes Everything Unpredictable
The Mid-January Dry Spell: What’s Actually Happening?
Right now, a massive ridge of high pressure is basically acting like a giant umbrella over the Pacific Northwest. It's parked just offshore, blocking the typical winter storm track that usually dumps feet of snow on us this time of year. Instead of "Snowqualmie," we’re getting clear skies and a persistent temperature inversion.
Basically, it’s warmer at the top of the mountain than it is at the base. Earlier this week, Alpental reported a staggering 49°F at the top while lower elevations were still shivering in a shallow pool of cold air.
For today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the forecast is holding steady. We're looking at a high of 38°F and a low of 27°F. It’s going to be sunny, which sounds great for visibility, but it means the snowpack is taking a bit of a beating during the day. The humidity is sitting around 65%, and we’ve got a light 8 mph breeze coming out of the east.
Sunday is almost a carbon copy: another high of 38°F and a low of 28°F. Monday actually gets even warmer, with the Snoqualmie Pass extended weather forecast projecting a high of 41°F. If you’re a skier, that means "manky" or "mashed potato" snow by the afternoon.
Road Conditions and the "Hidden" Dangers
Even when it’s sunny, I-90 can be a bit of a jerk. WSDOT is currently reporting the roadway as bare and dry, but they're noting wet spots and occasional fog. The problem isn't the snow on the road right now; it's the cycle of melting and freezing.
When it hits 41°F on Monday and then drops to 28°F at night, all that meltwater on the shoulders creeps onto the pavement and turns into black ice. You won't see it until your backend starts to fish-tail. Honestly, just because the "Traction Tires Required" signs aren't lit up doesn't mean you should drive like it's a summer day in Bellevue.
The Breakdown of the Next 10 Days
If you're waiting for a proper "refresh" of the snow, you’re going to have to be patient. Here is how the window is shaping up:
🔗 Read more: Chief Logan Lodge: What You Should Know Before Booking Your West Virginia Getaway
- Now through Wednesday (Jan 21): Dry, sunny to partly cloudy, and unseasonably warm. Highs will hover between 37°F and 41°F. Lows will stay just below freezing.
- Thursday (Jan 22): This is where things start to shift. We're looking at a 25% chance of snow showers during the day, jumping to 40% at night. The high will be 36°F.
- Friday (Jan 23) into next weekend: This is the pattern change we’ve been waiting for. Temperatures finally drop into the low 30s and upper 20s. Friday has a 40% chance of snow showers, and by Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at a high of only 27°F with a 45% chance of steady snow.
Why the Avalanche Risk is Still "Moderate" Despite the Sun
You might think that no new snow means no avalanche danger. That’s a common mistake. The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) is actually keeping a close eye on "wet snow" avalanches.
Because we’ve had such a prolonged warm-up, the upper layers of the snowpack are getting heavy and losing their bond. It’s that "mushy" consistency. While the risk is technically "Low" at lower elevations (below 4000ft), it remains "Moderate" at the middle and upper elevations.
If you're heading into the backcountry near Guye Peak or the Alpental backcountry, watch out for southerly slopes that have been baking in the sun all day. Glide avalanches—where the whole snowpack slides on the ground—can happen without any warning during a warm spell like this.
Survival Tips for the "June-uary" Stretch
Honestly, if you're heading up this week, treat it like a spring skiing trip.
- Wax your gear: Warm, wet snow is "slow" snow. Use a warm-weather wax or you'll feel like you're skiing through Velcro.
- Sunglasses are mandatory: The sun reflecting off the snow at 3,000 feet is brutal. Don't fry your retinas.
- Check the WSDOT cameras: Fog often gets trapped in the pass while it's clear everywhere else. Those cameras are your best friend for real-time visibility.
- Watch the "Freeze-Thaw": If you're hiking or snowshoeing, the morning snow will be rock-hard ice. By 2:00 PM, it'll be a swamp. Plan your start times accordingly.
The Snoqualmie Pass extended weather forecast shows that the winter we know and love—the one with the freezing wind and the dumping snow—is scheduled to return around January 23rd. Until then, enjoy the sunshine, but stay sharp on those icy night-time roads.
To stay safe, keep a close eye on the WSDOT Mountain Pass reports before you leave your driveway. Temperatures can swing 10 degrees in the time it takes to drive from North Bend to the summit.
Next Steps:
Check the real-time WSDOT cameras for the summit to see the current fog levels before you head out. If you're planning on backcountry travel, read the full afternoon update from the Northwest Avalanche Center to identify specific slope risks for the weekend.