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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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

At Hurricane Ridge, avalanche danger will build with shifting winds blowing around fresh and existing low-density snow to form slabs. Identify and avoid areas of active wind loading near ridgelines and recognize that slabs may be more reactive where they sit atop a crust. Areas of the SE Olympics will have higher than forecast avalanche danger with significantly more new snowfall.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Snowpack settlement and a lack of recent snowfall means that fresh slabs will be your primary concern on Friday. Given a lack of recent observations, give the bond between the new/old snow a check with your hand or shovel as you travel. If this layer is prone to fail, expect wind slabs to be more reactive as they build. Note how this layer changes with aspects. For instance, slabs may be more reactive where we expect crust son W-S-E aspects. As you approach ridgelines, steer around wind-loaded features, particularly where you see signs of fresh or recent wind transport. Such signs may include actively blowing snow, fresh sharp cornices, difficult trail breaking, or cracking snow surfaces. Steer around wind-loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper.

     

     

    (3/4/2023)

    Shallow slab avalanche stepping down to the the poorly bonded 2/24 crust down 12". 40 degree, E aspect, 4600 ft.

Avalanche Discussion

IF YOU'RE TRAVELING IN THE EASTERN OLYMPICS: Expect higher than forecast avalanche danger following 6-12" of new snow. Avalanches will be more likely and may be larger than discussed in this product. In these areas, a careful snowpack evaluation is necessary before engaging with any steep, open slope.

It's been 5-6 days since we've had observations from Hurricane Ridge. The weather has been quiet and cool with around 6" of snowpack settlement. Crusts may have formed on W-S-E aspects. You can still easily trigger a dry loose avalanche that could get you into trouble in extreme terrain.

Human-triggered avalanches 10-12" deep 3/3 and 3/4 showed a denser snow layer that can step down to the 2/24 crust. This crust (likely on W-S-E aspects) had a thin layer of facets on it. This layer remains worth watching. If you hear whumphs or settlement, this layer may be problematic in your area.

Snow coverage is currently excellent with forests now filled in above 4500 ft.

The photo gallery shows the snow structure responsible for a small human-triggered avalanche on 3/4 in addition to a natural avalanche (from 3/2) and two human-triggered avalanches on 3/3. 

 

Regions covered