Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Treat steep open slopes, especially on shady aspects at mid/upper elevations with caution due to a known weak layer ~2' down in the upper snowpack.  No recent avalanches have been reported on this layer, but a similar snowpack structure has led to large avalanches in parts of the Cascades.  If you experience collapsing, whumpfing, or other signs of instability,  retreat to simpler terrain.  In areas where the snow becomes wet and mushy, stay out of very steep and extreme terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A well-identified weak layer (buried surface hoar) is down about 2' at mid-elevations and found just above a prominent crust (2/13) in the upper snowpack. This layer was found on some shady aspects in the Hurricane Ridge area, including near ridgelines and also in snow pits on Mt Ellinor.  A sensitive snowpack with collasping and whumpfing was observed in the Hurricane Ridge area earlier in the week, but not on Thursday and Friday.  While triggering a persistent slab avalanche in the Olympics may not be likely, the consequences could be deadly. 

    Treat all open steep slopes as suspect until proven otherwise, especially shady aspects where surface hoar was more likely to have survived and buried intact. If you experience any collapsing or whumpfing, remotely trigger avalanches, or see other signs of instability, retreat to simpler terrain. Stick to shaded, wind-sheltered terrain and slopes under 35 degrees.  

    Persistent slabs are notorious for surprising backcountry travelers; they break more widely across the slope and can be triggered from lower-angle terrain than run-of-the-mill storm slab avalanches.  Dig and look for the buried surface hoar to help rule out slopes, and consider using snowpack tests to gain more information, but do not use inconclusive results to deem a slope "safe" or not. 

    (2/26/2026)

    A propagation saw test (PST) result of 79/100. End on an N aspect near Steeple Rock.  This snowpack test gauges the likelihood of a fracture to propagate on a known weak layer (buried surface hoar). Numbers below 50 indicate a higher likelihood of fracture propagation. 

    Snowpack tests like this can be helpful for identifying which slopes to avoid, but they are only one piece of information from a single location.  They should not be used to deem a slope "safe". 

    Photo: Sam Luthy - NPS

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunshine and mild temperatures will make it feel like Spring on Saturday, and of course, it will make us think about wet loose avalanches.  The sun will have to break down any surface crusts that formed overnight.  Wet loose avalanches won't be an issue on slopes exposed to strong west winds and firm textured surfaces.   

    Rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet sluffs fanning out below your feet or machine are obvious clues that the snow surface is becoming wet and weak. In some areas, these wet loose avalanches could grow powerful and grow large, given the amount of recent snow over the last week.   Avoid travel above or below terrain traps where wet loose avalanches may release.  You can always move to shadier aspects without exposure as the warming commences.  Give cornices a large berth when travelling along ridgelines. 

    (2/26/2026)

    Roller balls started to release on a south aspect near Steeple rock during periods of sunshine. 

    These are often precursors to wet loose avalanches. 

    Photo: Sam Luthy - NPS

Avalanche Discussion

This is an unusual snowpack setup for the Olympics and we need your observations! Share what you see with us, we love photos and clear descriptions. Please consider submitting an observation as early as possible in the afternoon to help inform the evening forecast. Read the neighboring Cascade zones to see how persistent slabs and an extended period of strong winds are leading to dangerous conditions in many areas. 

A significant storm cycle last weekend brought about 2" of water/16-24" of snow to the Hurricane Ridge area along with a fair amount of wind.  NPS staff observed evidence of natural avalanches of Monday.  Over the last few days, Hurricane Ridge and the eastern slopes have been in the "rain shadow" of strong westerly flow.  Central areas saw more sunshine on Friday than they had all week. Despite moderate to strong winds, milder temperatures and sunshine have moistened surfaces and limited fresh wind-loading.   You're likely to find different conditions in the western part of the range, where strong west winds, light snow, and clouds have been draped over the area during the work week. 

The new snow has drastically improved the snow coverage, even at lower elevations.  However, this snow fell on bare ground in some places.  Travel in the woods, lower elevations, and on previously melted-out slopes will still present travel obstacles.  Travel cautiously in these areas to avoid injury.  

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