Olympics

You can trigger small loose or slab avalanches within the recent snow. At upper elevations, any avalanche you trigger risks disturbing weak snow down layers to produce avalanches up to 3 ft deep. Stick to treed slopes and small terrain features and avoid wind-loaded terrain near ridgelines and upper elevations slopes. 

Light snow continues to gradually accumulate. The snowfall should continue into Tuesday. Light to moderate winds Friday night through early Sunday afternoon created isolated soft slabs before winds died down. You may be able to trigger slabs of wind-affected snow as you approach ridgelines or dry loose avalanches on slopes approaching 40 degrees. Remember that any avalanche you trigger in the upper snowpack can awaken persistent slabs that may be difficult to survive. 

Observations from Hurricane Ridge on Thursday and Sunday  documented that a weak facet/crust combination remains intact. You are unlikely to find obvious signs of unstable snow. You can use snow profiles and snowpack tests to track this layer, but don’t bet your life on a hole in the snow. The best way to avoid this sleeping beast is by staying off of large, steep slope on W-NW-N-NE-E aspects where concern about this layer remains at upper elevations. Seek out smaller, lower angled, and treed slopes. The primary weak persistent layer we’ve been talking about sits 2-3 ft deep in the snowpack. We have not received reports of an avalanche on this weak layer for some time and snowpack tests are beginning to show signs that the layer may be starting to heal. You can help us track this persistent layer by submitting snowpack observations on our public site. 

While the Olympics are not the Cascades, this snowpack structure closely resembles other forecast zones across Washington. A very similar set-up resulted in several near-misses, avalanche involvements, and one fatality over the past week. (See the short video in the media gallery below for more information). If we can learn anything from these incidents, it’s that persistent slabs can be tricky and necessitate extra caution and patience. 

Expect to find about a foot of snow above the 2/7 crust with deeper drifts on lee northerly slopes by Tuesday. You might also find a very light rime/facet combo layer from 2/11 in your terrain that did not prove to be reactive on moderate angle slopes on Sunday.

2020-21 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.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.