Olympics

A warm wet storm creates the potential for large, wet avalanches. Wet loose avalanches may release naturally or by human trigger on open slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Glide avalanches may fail without warning on steep bedrock slabs, potentially bringing down the entire season's snowpack.

Several inches of wet snow fell at Hurricane Ridge on Monday. Temperatures warmed later in the day and with temperatures expected to remain warm, you can easily trigger this slushy snow as small wet loose avalanches. More significant rainfall on Tuesday creates the potential for wet loose avalanches to entrain more snow and become large. If enough rain falls, it could percolate through the snowpack, lubricating steep bedrock faces to form glide avalanches. Glide cracks may give you some warning to avoid these slopes, but it is best to make sure you know where steep bedrock slabs exist and avoid spending time on or below them. While we think above freezing temperatures will impact snow to most ridgelines, if you do find dry snow, expect the potential for fresh or old wind slabs that you can trigger on steep, lee slopes.

Hurricane Ridge picked up nearly 3 feet of snow over the last week but was spared relative to the snow-pocalypse that the Cascades experienced Wed night - Friday.  It's worth noting the southern Olympic peninsula received far more precipitation (places like Hoquiam WA set all-time daily precipitation record of 5.78" on 1/6!) and the southern/central mountains likely saw a different peak in avalanche conditions. 

On Saturday, NPS rangers and observers noted that S-SW aspects along ridgelines were largely stripped of snow and had a semi-breakable crust.  On northerly aspects and away from wind effect, the storm snow was largely right side up.  Natural cornice fall triggered at least two large wind slab avalanches between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon in the Hurricane Ridge area.   On Sunday with mild and sunny weather, cornice fall, lingering wind slabs and loose wet avalanches were all possible.  ONP Rangers noted several natural loose wet avalanches on steep sunny slopes. 

2021-22 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger 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.