Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Use the quality of the overnight refreeze to set your tone for the day. If you find areas you can sink into past your ankle, you can trigger a small wet avalanche. If these areas become more widespread, the danger may be higher than forecast and you should reduce your terrain selection accordingly.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Cooler cloudier weather during the day may limit the saturation of the upper snowpack. However, a poor overnight refreeze may allow Thursday's crusts to break down in isolated areas. Dry, unconsolidated snow exists under the surface crusts and if wetted, has the potential to produce shallow avalanches. Let the quality of the overnight refreeze set your tone for the day. If you're traveling on firm surfaces in the morning and these surfaces transition to corn snow, your danger remains low. However, if these crusts break down and you're sinking in past your ankle, adjust your aspect or seek low-angle terrain. A small avalanche will be most consequential above terrain traps such as creeks or gullies.

    Example photo from earlier this winter in the Hurricane Ridge area. 

Avalanche Discussion

From mid-day Monday through Wednesday, Hurricane Ridge experienced above-freezing temperatures. However, a solid overnight refreeze with below-freezing temperatures helped limit avalanche activity on Thursday.  ONP Rangers in the Maggies area reported supportable surface crusts to start the day on all aspects. Rapidly warming temperatures softened snow surfaces receiving direct sunshine during the afternoon, producing corn snow and some fresh rollerball activity on the south side of Mt. Angeles. Rangers found a mix of dry snow layers, crusts, and rounded melt forms within the upper two feet of the snowpack on N and E aspects. Some of these layers could act as an interface, but you'll have to make your own assessment given the variability of this spring-like upper snowpack. You can use a quick shovel or hand shear to determine if any of these layers may be a problem in your terrain before moving onto larger, steeper terrain features.

As we plod along further into spring, be prepared to navigate spring-related travel hazards like open creeks, rocks and trees.   

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.

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