Olympics

Warming temperatures will transition snow surfaces impacted by the sun from dry to wet, forming very shallow avalanches that entrain the recent snow. These slides may catch you in steep or extreme terrain features. Variable snow conditions, crusts, and shallowly submerged frozen avalanche debris remain your primary obstacles.

Cold temperatures on Wednesday likely slowed change in the snowpack, but temperatures should moderate on Thursday. Several inches of new snow fell early Tuesday, arriving on a cooling trend. Light to occasionally moderate N and NE winds as the snow started to fall may have formed shallow drifts on the atypical southerly side of ridgelines. The new snow sits on a variety of surface crusts which may include chunky avalanche debris and bumpy rain runnels in some areas that present a travel hazard in their own right just below the surface. As you ascend into more wind-exposed terrain, pay attention as drifts approach 6" or deeper where a shallow slab might knock you off your feet in steep or extreme terrain features. In less wind exposed terrain, strengthening march sunshine may begin impacting slopes receiving direct sunshine on Thursday (a day later than we originally expected). Watch for rollerballs initiated around rocks and trees soon forming very shallow wet avalanches that will gradually gain mass as they descend long steep slopes. If you observe rollerballs, shift your aspect and steer clear of slopes with exposure to terrain traps. 

NPS staff reported small loose wet avalanches on an East aspect Saturday, but no slab avalanches have been observed since early last week when a major avalanche cycle unfolded.  Hurricane Ridge received more than 4 inches of precipitation over three days ending March 1st.  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.