Olympics

Dangerous avalanche conditions will likely continue into Tuesday at mid and upper elevations in the Olympic mountains.  Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees and leave a wider than normal buffer between you and large open slopes. 

Avalanche danger likely peaked Sunday night and early Monday morning during the tail end of the heaviest precipitation and warming.  With cooler temps and lighter snowfall on the way Tuesday,  sensitive storm layers should slowly stabilize. At lower elevations that experienced rainfall, several inches of new snow will build over a wet and refreezing surface.  Storm totals since Saturday evening tallied about 25-30 inches above 5000' in the Hurricane Ridge area. 

While the avalanche hazard should be decreasing Tuesday,  you still need to think about deeper instabilities.  We don't know how sensitive persistent weak layers above the 1/13 crust remain. This interface is likely 2 or more feet down from the snow surface and may still be reactive to a human's weight or a failed cornice.  These deeper slabs may propagate widely across terrain features and could result in large and deadly avalanches. Stay alert to signs of instability such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and whumphing collapses.  Limit your exposure to large overhead avalanche paths. 

On Sunday afternoon, a small natural slab avalanche was observed on a road cut on an east aspect above the Hurricane Ridge road.  On Saturday, riders remotely triggered a D1.5 (small-large) avalanche from the slope below. The avalanche had a 10" crown and propagated widely on a north-facing bowl near Victoria Overlook. The slide appeared to step down within weak snow to the stout 1/13 crust below.  

Leading up to this cycle on Thursday and Friday, professionals easily triggered 4-6" wind slabs in specific terrain features and shallow loose dry avalanches running on a stout crust. They also found recent snow and wind drifts over weak snow (facets) just above the stout 1/13 rain crust.  See an excellent observation here for more information.

2020-21 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.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.