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

8 AM Update: Added small wind slabs to account for lower snow levels near and above treeline. Take care to avoid triggering a small wet loose avalanche on steep slopes with wet surface snow, especially near terrain traps that would increase your chance of injury.  Don't let a change in the weather late in the day catch you by surprise.  Weather and avalanche conditions will likely worsen before sunset on Monday as a strong front moves into the area. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Small wind slabs may develop on lee slopes near and above treeline Monday.  You can steer around pillow like drifts of snow to avoid triggering a wind slab avalanche.  Shallow wind slabs may run on top of a new crust just below the new snow surface. Take extra care near terrain traps like cliff bands and exposed stumps and rocks where a small avalanche could do damage. 

    (2/10/2023)

    A skier triggered a shallow wind slab on the top of Lost Bowl. N, 5200ft HS-AS-D1-R1-S

    Public Field Report: Hurricane ridge (lost bowl)

    Photo: Vince Reichheld

  • Loose Wet

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

    We can expect more mild weather, strong winds and periods of light rain or snow Sunday night and Monday.  Due to the mild weather, you're likely to encounter wet snow near and below 5000' on Monday.  A slow cooling trend should take place during the afternoon and start to lock up/refreeze wet snow at higher elevations in the afternoon.  Snow levels will lower and snowfall will likely increase late Monday afternoon as a front approaches. 

    If you find yourself sinking in deeper than your ankle on any slopes or see signs of new or recent avalanche activity, shift to lower angled terrain.  Below treeline, there's less recent snow to push downhill but small avalanches are still possible in isolated areas.  

    (2/19/2023)

    On Monday, you may see or trigger roller balls or small wet loose avalanches in the top few inches of the snow on steep slopes like the one in this photo. 

    Photo: Kaitlin - Hurricane Ridge area, SSW aspect

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday was mainly cloudy, breezy and mild at Hurricane Ridge.  If any rain or snow fell during the day, it was not enough to record a tip in the Hurricane Ridge precipitation gauge. Backcountry travelers on Sunday found variable surface conditions, a lack of blowing snow despite the wind along ridgelines, and rollerballs, and even a few small wet loose avalanches on steep southerly slopes. 

On wind and sun-sheltered slopes you may find the 2/13 crust about 10-14" below the snow surface (see pit photo below) near and above 5000'.  While this layer can be identified in snow pits, we don't have any deeper layer concerns in the snowpack. 

Regions covered