Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Shallow wind slabs may form on lee slopes at upper elevations as the winds increase and temperatures slowly cool during the day.  Generally safe avalanche conditions are otherwise expected.  Be prepared to navigate discontinuous snow in much of the range. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    If you're going to find an avalanche problem on Sunday, you'll probably have to go looking for it in the higher terrain and in areas more likely to be favored by the storm pattern (W-SW slopes of the Olympics) and on lee NW-N-E aspects. As the snow levels drop during the day, winds may build new and shallow wind slabs on the higher peaks, near and below ridgelines, and the entrances to steep rocky chutes.  If you're out in this specific terrain, steer around areas where you find evidence of fresh drifting or wind-textured features.  While any avalanche will likely be small, be aware of what's below you and don't get pushed into rocks, old hard avalanche debris or other obstacles.  

Avalanche Discussion

Cloudy skies and damp, misty conditions summed up the weather on Friday in the Hurricane Ridge area.  NPS Rangers observed a few rollerballs on steep slopes as temperatures warmed above freezing and the snow surface became wet. By the end of the day the milder weather had largely melted the 2-4" of snow that fell Thursday night. 

A warm and wet period from last January through early February did a number on the snowpack,  melting out some aspects and lower elevations and eventually forming a widespread stout once temperatures cooled (early February crust) in the areas that retained snow. While this week was thankfully more winter-like temperature wise, the Hurricane Ridge area picked up very little new snow (graph in gallery).  Also in the gallery you can see photos of small to large wet loose avalanches that released naturally last weekend in the E-SE parts of the range that had more snow above the early February crust.  These slides may be covered by a few inches of snow from this week and are likely rock hard and worth avoiding. 

Be prepared for off-trail travel to have an extra adventure element with intermittent snow cover, open creeks, trees, rocks, etc. Carry the proper tools to self-arrest a fall if traveling in alpine terrain or anywhere firm and slick crusts could increase the consequences of a fall.

NWAC may issue a gray "No Rating" for an elevation band when there is not enough snow to present an avalanche hazard.

Regions covered