Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Incoming! New snow and strong winds will impact the Olympics on Friday.  Treat steep lee slopes at mid and upper elevations with caution as new and generally shallow wind slabs further downslope than usual.  The new snow will layer over variable surfaces; bare ground, surface crusts, wind-stiffened snow and weak faceted surface snow.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Fresh and generally shallow wind slabs will form on Friday as a storm impacts the Olympic mountains.  Look for visual clues like blowing snow to see which slopes are being loaded.  Where you find fresh pillow-like drifts, use caution on steep lee slopes below ridgelines where you could trigger a wind slab avalanche.  You may find fatter wind-stiffened snow well below ridgelines due to the strong winds. 

    While the new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces, the most touchy areas may be where the new snow builds over weak surface facets.  If the storm comes in more potent than forecast, dangerous avalanche conditions may develop during the day.  Signs like shooting cracks or natural avalanches are signs to step back to simpler and more sheltered terrain.  With many exposed or barely hidden obstacles like rocks and stumps, make sure to consider the consequences of a small avalanche raking you through rough terrain. 

    Shooting cracks are a sign that you may trigger a wind slab in the denser wind drifted snow.  

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC Observer Sam Luthy was out in the Hurricane Ridge area on Thursday 2/2 and found eerily similar snowpack conditions and structures to last week.  Southerly aspects with snow had a stout supportable crust with the crust becoming more variable on E-W aspects.  Steeper southerlies had low or no snow cover.  Cornice lines have been trimmed back during this stretch.  Northerly aspects continued to feature a facet/crust combination in the top 1' (30cm) that was weaker than last week, something to keep an eye on as we add more snow.  Travel continued to be challenging at times due to firm crusts and/or low snow travel hazards. 

2022-2023 Forecast Schedule

NWAC will issue an avalanche forecast every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and every holiday mid-week day the Hurricane Ridge Road is open from December-early April.  We will issue Avalanche Watches or Warnings when conditions warrant.  New for this season, we will not update the non-holiday midweek discussion.  Our mountain weather forecasts will continue to cover the Olympics and are issued twice a day through late April.  If you have questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] and [email protected]. 

If you're out in the snow, share your observations with us and your local backcountry community.

Regions covered