Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

As freezing levels rise on Monday,  stay off of steep sunny slopes with wet snow.  Use caution on lee steep slopes at upper elevations with freshly drifted snow.   Know your route - low snow at low elevations and certain aspects will make for challenging travel. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The rollercoaster ride of snow levels will continue through Monday in the Olympics.  In areas where you find a few inches of new snow, expect to see rollerballs and potentially small wet loose avalanches that release on steep sunny slopes or below rock bands as freezing levels rise and the sun makes an appearance.  At any elevation or aspect where you find wet snow more than a few inches deep,  use caution on very steep slopes, especially near terrain traps like above cliff bands, or exposed rocks, stumps, etc.  Wet loose avalanches that run above a crust could travel further than you think.  

    Wet snow avalanches are unlikely at lower elevations that have seen many days of rain and above freezing temperatures.  That said, keep your guard up and use caution around terrain traps or extreme terrain features in areas where you find wet manky snow.  Some parts of the range have a healthier snowpack than the Hurricane Ridge area below 4500'.  In these areas,  continue to avoid or limit your time below poorly supported terrain features with overhanging blocks of snow.  If you find evidence of recent natural glide avalanches or multiple cracks in the snowpack (the brown frown), you're in an area where you'll want to put plenty of space between you and the slopes above.   

    (12/9/2024)

    Rollerballs coming out of rocky terrain on a sun-exposed slope. These are often precursors to wet avalanches.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Given the oscillating temperature/snow level forecast, there's less certainty regarding what elevations may harbor fresh and shallow wind slabs.  Keep an eye out for red flags like shooting cracks, blowing snow and fresh drifts.  Before stepping out into more serious open terrain, use small test slopes to test the bond of the new snow to old snow surface.   

    The recent warm weather has done a number on the snowpack, exposing plenty of obstacles.  Factor in the consquences of taking a ride given the rough early season snowpack.  A smattering of ground obstacles including exposed rocks, stumps, holes, etc, all raise the chances of injury even with a small slide. 

    (12/12/2024)

     In this photo, shooting cracks and small slabs in wind-drifted snow are signs that wind slabs may have formed on nearby lee slopes.  

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Strong winds new and recent drifted snow in the Hurricane Ridge area on Sunday as temperatures slowly climbed near features.  NPS rangers found new wind features and unreactive shallow winds slabs forming below ridgelines in the area.  The 12/21 or Solstice crust was still less than fully supportable thanks to temperatures that have oscillated around freezing since yesterday.   

While the return to winter conditions at mid and especially upper elevations are a welcome sight, come prepared for challenging travel due to early season conditions.  Allow extra time for your route and be prepared for variable snow surfaces, exposed or barely covered obstacles, holes, and creek openings. 

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