Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
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Highlights

Potentially difficult travel on firm, variable surfaces will be the greatest danger on Tuesday. Plan for and be prepared to navigate general hazards in mountain terrain.  Sun breaks may produce signs of instability like rollerballs and very small wet avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

Tragically little snow fell Monday with only 0.1-0.3” of precipitation [1-3” of new snow] across the Olympics. Look for shallow wind slabs on lee slopes if you head to the highest peaks. Even a small avalanche can be consequential in extreme terrain, especially with a firm sliding surface below any new snow. You may also see signs of instability or even very small loose wet avalanches on steep southerly slopes. Skiing and riding conditions may have improved slightly on low-angle, upper elevation terrain where the old surface crust was uniform and smooth. 

Non-avalanche hazards remain a challenge for backcountry travel on Tuesday:

  • Look out for icy crusts at or near the surface on all aspects. Be prepared to arrest a fall if traveling on steep slopes.
  • The extended period of melting exposed roots, rocks, stumps, etc. These hazards may now be hidden under a thin layer of new snow.
  • Glide cracks have opened in many typical avalanche start zones during the last month of mild weather. Steer around these crevasse-like features. 
  • Many streams and creeks have opened up at lower elevations.

The upper snowpack underwent numerous melt-freeze cycles since the last real snowfall in late January. February 7th was the last day loose wet avalanche activity was reported in areas around Hurricane Ridge. The stout late January crust may be under a few inches of old settled snow or scoured at the surface.  Below the 1/30 crust, there are no layers of concern in the snowpack.

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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