Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

There may not be much avalanche danger to start the day, but we should be in a different place by sunset.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop at mid and upper elevations as a strong storm moves inland.  Don't let an avalanche rake you through barely buried rocks, stumps, or rough obstacles. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snow should pile up quickly and raise the risk of storm slab avalanches at mid and upper elevations on Saturday.  You'll want to travel cautiously, using small test slopes to see how well the new snow is bonding, and watch for red flags like shooting cracks or even natural avalanches breaking within the new snow or down to the old snow interface. 

    While most storm slab avalanches will be small,  lee slopes loaded by the wind near ridgelines and exposed features can produce larger and more consequential avalanches. Before entering avalanche terrain, you'll need to assess the consequences of getting caught and pushed into rough terrain.  

    (12/8/2023)

    Ex: Look for small natural storm slab avalanches that break during periods of intense snowfall, like the one in this photo.  

    Photo: Alpental Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

We'll do another dance over the weekend as a potent storm system along with rising snow levels impacts the area.  With the storm continuing Saturday night and a strong likelihood of snow changing to rain, you can expect another increase in avalanche danger.  Plan for increasing avalanche danger and changing conditions if you plan to be in the backcountry over the weekend. 

Winter returned on Wednesday night and Thursday with about 6" of new snow accumulating at the Hurricane Ridge weather station.  NPS staff found the new snow bonding well to the rain crust just below the new snow.  Rain from last week had penetrated the snowpack and there were no weak layers of concern.  There was not enough snow below 4500-5000' for reliable, continuous travel on snow in the Hurricane Ridge area. 

Enjoy the return to winter and navigate the shallow snow depths and snow cover carefully. 

Regions covered