Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Winds will continue to drift fresh snow into slabs you can trigger. Steer around exposed slopes steeper than 35 degrees where recent or active wind transport has created punchy layers resting above firmer snow from earlier in the week. Below treeline, anticipate mostly inconsequential wet loose avalanches and early season hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    Temperatures will be mild with the upcoming round of snow and wind. We expect 3-4" of snow to fall at Hurricane Ridge with moderate winds transporting that snow primarily in upper NTL and ATL terrain. New snow and wind arriving Thursday night and Friday will sit above around 5" of heavily wind-affected snow pre-existing the storm. Actively probing for punchy or hollow feeling layers building above the firmer old snow will help you assess the problem. Monitor the cohesion of the snow and active transport as you ascend. Once temperatures are cool enough, the snow becomes easier to transport, and you should expect shallow slabs on lee slopes. Steer around steep or unsupported avalanche start zones near and above treeline.

    Example: Shallow wind slabs in wind-affected snow.

    Photo: Sam Luthy

Avalanche Discussion

Below treeline, rain may fall on the snowpack below treeline potentially soaking 5" of dry snow reported above the refreezing Christmas Crust. Expect shallow and mostly inconsequential natural or human-triggered wet loose activity. If more snow falls before a changeover to rain, take a step back and reduce your exposure to steep or consequential terrain once you start seeing rollerball activity. Warming temperatures could also create a shallow storm slab. You can evaluate this layer using simple slope tests and if you suspect a problem, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees.

Recent rains have returned wind-exposed aspects to early season conditions. Snow bridges have collapsed and creeks have opened, and you might find holes where you don't expect, making travel significantly more difficult. If you find areas of unconsolidated snow, reduce your exposure to the problem. More wind-exposed ridgelines have also melted out and plenty of early-season hazards have returned to the region. On many aspects, the new snow will shallowly cover obstacles while others will remain exposed. Proceed through the terrain a bit more slowly if you travel on these shallow aspects.

It's been wonderful to see all the observations flowing in from the Ridge and beyond this Holiday season. They are really helping to improve the forecast!

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