Avalanche forecast

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Happy New Year!  Continue to use caution on lee slopes at upper elevations with signs of recently drifted snow.  If you see fresh drifting along ridgelines and peaks, triggering a slab avalanche could be easier than you think.   The lower elevation snowpack is in better shape than a few weeks ago, but be prepared to navigate holes, exposed creeks and other early season travel hazards. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As you move about in the backcountry , contemplating what's in store for 2025,  consider where in the terrain you might pry a wind slab avalanche loose on Wednesday.  Use caution near and below ridgelines where winds have recently drifted snow over the last few days, especially at upper elevations or more exposed areas at middle elevations.  Use caution anywhere even a small avalanche could cause harm, like near cliff bands and gullies.  

    (12/26/2024)

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

    Photo: ONP Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

Backcountry travelers enjoyed some late December sunshine and good snow conditions in the Hurricane Ridge backcountry on Tuesday.   Wednesday could offer more of the same if a weak weather system largely stays to the south of the area.  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 dumped about 2 feet of snow in 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.

Happy New Year from all of us at the Northwest Avalanche Center! 

Regions covered