Olympics

You can still trigger isolated avalanches in very steep, unsupported, or extreme terrain features. With uncertainty regarding surface conditions, pay attention to firmer wind-drifted snow near ridgelines or dry snow sitting on a crust. Factor challenging travel conditions into your plans.

We expect a dusting to an inch of light snow at Hurricane Ridge through Friday. This won't be enough to impact the avalanche hazard although SW winds could form drifts up to a few inches thick by the afternoon in the lee of exposed ridgelines. Several inches of snow that fell 3/8 may be wind-drifted into shallow slabs on unusual southerly aspects. These should be mostly very small and shallow and losing reactivity, but in isolated extreme terrain features, they could knock you off your feet, over a cliff, or into a terrain trap. Cold temperatures early this week likely preserved low-density dry snow on shaded aspects with the shallow recent snow likely becoming sugary and weak, potentially becoming a problematic interface if significant snow arrives this weekend. If you head out on Friday, consider letting us know what you find. Sugary snow promotes dry loose avalanches that move down the slope with you and warrant attention to surrounding obstacles if you move into very steep terrain.

Temperatures rebounded to just below freezing on Friday afternoon, likely accelerating the healing process on the southerly aspects where wind loading seems most probable. These milder temperatures may also have formed thin, breakable surface crust. Adding to the difficult travel conditions, the recent snow shallowly buries a variety of crusts, chunky avalanche debris,  and bumpy rain runnels at the 3/8 interface. Make sure your tour plan is realistic for the conditions you encounter and that you account for extra travel time and exposed icy slopes in some areas.

No slab avalanches have been observed since a major avalanche cycle unfolded over three days ending March 1st when Hurricane Ridge received more than 4 inches of precipitation.  Fluctuating snow levels produced heavy snow, and at times rain near treeline during this storm cycle.  Debris piles litter the landscape from a widespread avalanche cycle. Some shaded slopes produced very large (D2.5-3) slab avalanches. The most notable of these slides occurred in North Bowl (N, 5200’, WS-N-R4-D3-O) where the crown stretches nearly the entire width of the feature. 

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanchedanger 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.