Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Another day of sunshine, light winds and slightly warmer temperatures will keep the focus on loose wet avalanches.  If surface crusts break down as the sun rises and you begin to sink into wet snow, shift to lower angle or shady terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    While loose wet avalanches may have run their course on many sunny slopes Saturday,  milder temperatures Saturday night and Sunday will keep this problem in play.   As surface crusts break down during the day Sunday, be suspicious of very steep sunny slopes without rollerballs or evidence of recent loose wet avalanches.  Since this recent snow sits on a crust, some of these slides may run farther downhill than you expect.

    While these avalanches will likely be small,  don't let them catch you by surprise near cliff bands, or near other terrain traps.  If you find yourself sinking into wet snow deeper than your ankle or see wet avalanches, it's time to choose lower angle terrain or a different aspect.  

    (2/3/2022)

    Example: A small natural wet avalanche on a steep sunny slope. You may see similar slides Saturday. 

    Photo: Sam Luthy

Avalanche Discussion

Light winds and sunny skies on Friday helped conditions feel warmer than the 30F recorded on the Hurricane Ridge weather station.  It also helped consolidate the 2-6 inches of recent snow that sits above a refreezing crust near and above treeline.  While the focus this weekend is on avalanche problems near the surface, it's easy to find evidence of the major avalanche cycle from early last week.  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. On other aspects and in rocky terrain numerous smaller slides occurred.  Give yourself extra time to navigate variable snow condition that may include breakable surface crusts,  frozen avalanche debris, bumpy rain runnels, heavy wet snow, and pockets of dry powder. 

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.

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