Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Light rain on the snowpack will create saturated snow surfaces which may help break down surface crusts. Small fan-shaped avalanches should concern you most where they push you into a terrain trap such as a gulley. If more rain falls than expected, reduce your terrain selection with the expectation that avalanches will be easier to trigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Light rain will fall into below treeline elevations in the morning and near treeline elevations by the afternoon. Above treeline, snow may fall, but with above freezing temperatures, snow surfaces may still be moist. Start your day by noting whether a crust has formed on surfaces Friday night.  If these crusts never formed or begin to break down and you're sinking in past your ankle, adjust your aspect or seek low-angle terrain. Dry, unconsolidated snow existed a few inches below the surface on N and E aspects as recently as Thursday. If rainfall impacts this dry snow, small wet avalanches will be more likely on these aspects. With minimal reported avalanche activity in the past 5 days and an upper snowpack adjusting to the mild conditions, avalanche activity should be rare on Saturday, but stay alert as conditions have a way of throwing curveballs in the springtime.

    Example photo from earlier this winter in the Hurricane Ridge area. 

Avalanche Discussion

Since mid-day Monday, temperatures have primarily remained above freezing except for period of time early Thursday. ONP rangers reported 2" boot supportable crusts Friday morning on all aspects at Hurricane Ridge. Partly sunny skies likely allowed snow surfaces to soften during the day as temperatures rose into the 40s. Crusts were even firmer on Thursday morning, but rapidly warming temperatures softened snow surfaces receiving direct sunshine during the afternoon, producing corn snow and some fresh rollerball activity on the south side of Mt. Angeles. Rangers found a mix of dry snow layers, crusts, and rounded melt forms within the upper two feet of the snowpack on N and E aspects. Some of these layers could act as an interface, but you'll have to make your own assessment given the variability of this spring-like upper snowpack. You can use a quick shovel or hand shear to determine if any of these layers may be a problem in your terrain before moving onto larger, steeper terrain features.

As we plod along further into spring, be prepared to navigate spring-related travel hazards like open creeks, rocks and trees.  Any overhanging cornices are likely to be soft and sagging; you would be well served to avoid exposure to these on the slopes below.

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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