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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Highlights

Cold temperatures will prolongue the reactivity of wind-drifted slabs adjacent to ridgelines.  Fresh cornices and scoured slopes on the opposite sides of ridges may be your best clues to identify and steer around suspect slopes. As the snow loses strength amidst the ongoing cold temperatures, steep, rocky terrain features and gullies should be approached with caution.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs of varying ages lurk at upper elevations. Recent wind slabs formed late Sunday as winds picked up into the moderate range, easily drifting plentiful low-density snow. You'll find these drifts around 12" deep at Hurricane Ridge proper, and they will be thicker and more widespread as you head higher. You'll need to assess the reactivity of these slabs. Although 4-5 days old, soft wind slab avalanches were reported both Thursday and Friday in the Hurricane Ridge area.  On Thursday, NPS and NWAC observers found sensitive wind slabs up to 16" deep that were easy to trigger below ridgelines.  Become increasingly alert as you move into regions of wind-affected snow, looking for signs of firm or punchy layering within the snow that sits above the solstice crust. Steer around pillow-shaped drifts on slopes steeper than 35 degrees in the lee of ridgelines.

    (12/23/2021)

    With shifting winds and cross-loaded slopes, cornices may not help you identify which slopes to avoid.  

    Photo: Sam Luthy

  • Loose Dry

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

    The snow from this last storm cycle lacks cohesion and destabilizes when you disturb it on isolated terrain features approaching 40 degrees. There's plenty of snow to bury you at any elevation if you get it moving.  Maintain a strong awareness of potential obstacles that such destabilized snow could carry you into if you lose control. You can use your hand to test the reactivity of the surface snow as you travel. If it moves quickly downhill, consider whether you're able to manage the problem in your intended terrain. Dry loose avalanches can be triggered by humans or snow falling off trees.

     

     

    (12/26/2021)

    Several small natural tree-bomb triggered dry loose avalanches below treeline at Hurricane Ridge. SE, L-N-R1-D1-S.

    Photo: ONP Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday remains unusually cold with temperatures forecast to be in the teens. Make sure you are prepared for the conditions and think through the consequences of any accident leading to extended exposure in backcountry terrain.

A 6-day storm cycle at Hurricane Ridge finally ended on Sunday, after delivering over 3' of fresh snow this week, which arrived on a cooling trend. The total snow depth has settled a few inches to 56" at Hurricane Ridge on Monday. Professionals were in the West Angeles terrain and found the new snow to be very slow to settle amidst the cold temperatures. Wind slabs were very shallow and loose dry was not a concern except potentially on steeper terrain features. The 12/18 crust was 5-10 cm thick and extends up to 6000 ft while the solstice crust was thin and vanished around 5500 ft.  Also on Monday, ONP rangers dug on a SW aspect at 4900 ft just below the Parking lot at Hurricane Ridge and found 22 inches of snow with a right-side-up density profile. On this aspect, the Solstice Crust was thicker, 0.5 inches, and knife hard with the storm snow bonding well to the crust.  Stability tests did not reveal any layers of concern. 

Happy Holidays from the NWAC team and stay warm over the next week! 

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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