Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A break in the weather should allow the snowpack to heal. Keep your eyes peeled for small wind loaded pockets in very steep terrain. You’re most likely to trigger one of these slabs on rocky or unsupported slopes

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Most wind slabs are a few days old and could be hiding under a dusting of soft snow. While they may be tough to spot, they should also be harder to trigger. Look for larger clues like well developed cornices or big drifts to point toward potentially loaded aspects. You may also feel the change in the snow under your feet. If you notice slightly firmer snow on lower angle terrain, wind slabs likely exist in nearby steeper areas. 

    As these potential avalanches become more difficult to trigger, it starts to take the “right” piece of terrain. You’re most likely to cause an avalanche in rocky complex terrain or on unsupported slopes. So, take a good look before you commit to a confined chute or travel above cliffs. In these type of area even a tiny slide can take you for a nasty ride.

    (12/26/2024)

    Well developed cornice lines can help you anticipate potentially wind loaded aspects. 

    Photo: ONP Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday looks like a beautiful day in the mountains! Mostly sunny skies in the morning could result in small piles of rollerballs, but increasing clouds should stop any wet avalanche issues before they become much of a problem. 

While the avalanche danger continues to subside in most of the range, the western Olympics were hit hard by the recent storm. You could find substantially more snow and potentially higher danger in that portion of the zone. 

Since Christmas Day a series of storms have brought about 2 feet of snow to the Hurricane Ridge area, greatly increasing the snowpack, and improving travel conditions. Reports from the weekend noted a generally right-side-up snowpack with minimal lingering slab concerns away from wind affected terrain. 

Even with all the recent snow, travel at lower elevations remains tricky. Open creeks, downed logs, thin coverage, and random holes in the snowpack keep you on your toes.

Regions covered