Olympics

While milder temperatures early in the week helped lower the avalanche danger, 6-12" of fresh snow combined with significant wind loading should ratchet up your danger. If you find more than 6" of snow above a crust or old snow interface, expect that you can trigger an avalanche. These avalanches will become larger, more widespread, and easier to trigger as you approach wind-loaded ridgelines.

The incoming snow, rain, and wind has our attention as we head into Tuesday. We expect 0.9" of snow which could translate to 6-12" of snow near and above treeline and could create dangerous conditions when combined with the moderate winds expected. You may be able to identify the new/old snow interface by a thin crust formed during mild weather on Tuesday. If you find storm snow greater than 8" avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees.  And if you find more variability in the snow distribution, navigate around slabs where you find 6" or more of snow above the most recent interface. Expect slabs to become larger and more dificult to navigate/manage as you ascend toward ridgelines. We haven't had eyes on the snowpack since the weekend, so you'll need to perform your own assessments.

The most recent storm at Hurricane Ridge brought 5" of snow Friday night before snow levels rose to at least 5200 ft, wetting the upper snowpack Saturday morning. The tail end of the storm system brought 5.5" of snow, which now sits on a supportable, refrozen 12/18 crust. Dry weather since 3 PM on 12/18 has allowed older wind slabs to heal significantly and these slabs are likely to difficult to trigger.  

Conditions have changed significantly since NWAC Observer Sam Luthy and NPS staff were in the Maggie's area. However, total snow depth above 4500 ft in sheltered areas remains relatively unchanged around 3' (1m).  The landscape has filled in nicely at mid and upper elevations, but we aren't close to mid-winter depths. Keep an eye out for sharks lurking not too far below the snow surface at lower elevations (rocks, logs, etc).  Observers are still tracking a weak snow (facet) crust combination about 3' down on northerly aspects near treeline in the Hurricane Ridge area. However, no known avalanches have been reported on this layer and recent crust formation gives us increased confidence that it would be very difficult to trigger an avalanche on this layer. At the bottom of the snowpack, you can find a thick crust from early December.

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays. During the week when the Hurricane Ridge road is closed, forecast information will be updated daily to include expected conditions and relevant travel advice under the No Rating label.