Olympics

Wind loaded slopes remain reactive to trigger, particularly above treeline. Steer around steep wind-loaded avalanche start zones. Note rollerballs and wet sticky snow as the sun comes out to adjust your aspect and avoid a generally small wet avalanche cycle.

Hurricane Ridge experienced heavy snowfall Tuesday morning with some snow showers in the afternoon. Snow levels likely dropped to 3000-3500 ft with 4-6" of estimated accumulation near and above treeline. Hurricane Ridge might pick up an additional inch of snow tonight with light to moderate winds transporting the lower density snowfall as temperatures continue to gradually cool. The Ridge was shadowed on the lee side of the storm on Monday with milder temperatures likely forming crusts on most aspects near and below treeline.

The most dangerous areas will be found on steep open lee slopes,  likely NW-SE aspects,  at higher elevations where deeper slabs have developed.  Carefully evaluate the storm snow for instabilities within the new snow and at the new/old snow interface before considering larger terrain features.  You can look for cracking in the new snow or hollow-feeling layers to identity which slopes to steer around.  Give freshly formed cornices a wide berth while traveling along ridgelines, they may break back further than you expect. They can also help you identify recently wind-loaded avalanche start zones to the lee of the ridgelines.

Strong march sunshine will rapidly impact the recent 5-7" of new snow. Expect rollerballs to initiate off rocks and cliffs, giving you warning as the snow becomes sticking and wet. This will be followed by small avalanches that could become large enough to bury you on a sustained steep slope or where it might deposit you in a terrain trap, such as a gully. Reduce your exposure to large steep slopes as the sun makes its presence felt and move adjust your aspect to more shaded slopes.

You can find the stout early March crust easily in the upper snowpack. This crust may be exposed on windswept ridgelines.  Moving forward, we are not concerned about deeper layers in the snowpack below the early March crust.   

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.