Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Increasing winds on Friday may add to recent wind slabs in the lee of ridgelines.  In less wind-affected areas, steer around steep open slopes where you find freshly drifted snow or active snow transport and deposition.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Light winds may have been strong enough to drift 5-8" of low-density snow onto lee slopes Wednesday night. However, increasing winds on Friday may create fresh and more reactive wind drifts. Wind drifts remain most likely in the immediate lee of ridgelines on NW-N-E aspects and where you find wind actively depositing snow. Look for areas with 6" or more of snow to identify recent deposits. Steer around lens-shaped pillows and areas of firm or textured snow. You can test the bond of the new snow to the old snow surface (likely a crust) on small test slopes before entering more consequential terrain. Slabs may run efficiently on the firm surfaces pre-dating the storm. 

    Example: You may trigger a shallow wind slab below ridgelines on Thursday.

Avalanche Discussion

Around 5-8" of low-density snow fell over a crust (4/7) that exists on nearly all aspects and elevations. The new snow transitions Hurricane Ridge back to winter-like avalanche problems.  Temperatures reached 36F at Hurricane Ridge with plenty of sunshine on Saturday.

While NPS rangers did not observe avalanche activity by early afternoon, small wet loose avalanches may have occurred on steep aspects receiving sunshine. Although we expect increasing cloud cover and cooling temperatures to wet loose activity on Friday, any extended period of strong solar radiation will rapidly destabilize sun-affected slopes. Rollerballs help you anticipate small loose avalanches.  If the snow starts to become sticky and wet, adjust your aspect to cooler, shaded, or lower angle slopes away from overhead hazards. 

Meltwater remains in the snowpack in spite of the recent cool weather. In other parts of the region, we've seen large blocks of snow, glide avalanches, and even isolated wet slab avalanches fail within the past week. Some of these have been very large. Consider your exposure to snow clinging to steep rocky terrain features and give these features a wide berth. 

The snowpack is in great shape for early April with significant depth and excellent coverage.  

Are you out in the Olympics?  Let us and the backcountry community know what you see and Submit an Observation. 

Spring Forecast Schedule:  NWAC will issue a danger rating every day for the Olympics beginning Friday, April 2nd  - Sunday, April 18th. 

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.

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