Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Winter has returned to the Olympics along with dangerous avalanche conditions.  Larger slab avalanches can be triggered on wind-loaded slopes near and below ridgelines and anywhere avalanches break down to older snow layers.  Many obstacles lurk just below the unconsolidated new snow so travel cautiously in areas that previously had no/little snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Following an impressive storm cycle and with more snow and wind forecast, you'll need to travel cautiously and ease into steeper terrain on Friday.  Slab avalanches will be deeper and easier to trigger near and below ridgelines where you find evidence of blowing snow, drifting or experiencing shooting cracks.  In more sheltered terrain, steer around very steep unsupported rollovers where avalanches can break within recent storm layers.  

    A weak snow/crust interface 2-3' down in the Hurricane Ridge area may allow avalanches to surprise you by breaking wider and around terrain features.  If you experience collapses or audible whumpfs while traveling, immediately dial back your terrain selection and retreat to lower angle slopes without overhead exposure.   

    (2/29/2024)

    Recent 2' (60cm) crown of a large D2 storm slab avalanche with about 8" (20cm) of new snow on the bed surface of the 2/24 crust. SS-N-R3-D2-I.

    Photo: Kaitlin Harrigan

Avalanche Discussion

A significant storm system impacted the Olympics over the last few days, transforming the landscape by literally doubling the snowpack in some areas and bringing snow back down to lower elevations.  At Hurricane Ridge, 2.5" of water translated into 2-2.5' of new snow above 4500' since Wednesday.  Weather stations in other parts of the range above 4000' showed increases measured in feet as well.  Cold temperatures, snow showers and periods of moderate to even strong ridgeline winds will impact the area over the short term. 

NPS and NWAC professionals in the Hurricane Ridge area on Thursday found deep trail breaking and touchy avalanche conditions along ridgelines with freshly drifted snow along with recent storm slab avalanches.  While the storm dropped the new snow evenly across the landscape, winds were easily transporting the low density snow during the day and forming new cornices and wind features along ridgelines.  A notable whumpf was noted on one slope, a sign that weak snow (facets) above the old snow surface from last week (2/24) may allow for avalanches to break deeper and wider than expected. 

Travelers also noted the odd reality where deep unconsolidated snow was not enough to fully eliminate travel hazards related to the previously thin snowpack.  Be mindful of aspect and elevation while traveling as you're likely to encounter logs, creeks, holes, rocks or other not so fun stuff waiting for you underneath the new snow.   Conversely,  all of the new snow has not settled and deep snow immersion/tree wells may be a real concern in areas especially as additional snow piles up.  Ride with a partner and keep one another within sight. 

2023-2024 Forecast Schedule

NWAC will issue an avalanche forecast every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and every holiday mid-week day the Hurricane Ridge Road is open from December to early April.  We will issue Avalanche Watches or Warnings when conditions warrant.  We will not update the non-holiday midweek discussion.  Our mountain weather forecasts will continue to cover the Olympics and are issued twice a day through the end of April.  If you have questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] and [email protected]. 

If you're out in the snow, share your observations with us and your local backcountry community.

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