Olympics

Keep the potential for small wet avalanches on your mind as light rain moistens previously dry aspects or breakable crusts stop supporting you. Move to lower angle slopes if you suspect a problem. 

Observations over the weekend paint a relatively consistent picture: 4-6" of mostly dry snow above the 1/30 crust on N aspects, with 2-3" of melt forms over dry snow above the 1/30 crust on S aspects. Surficial breakable crusts were thicker on S aspects.

These surficial crusts may be the greatest hazard you face on Monday. If the crust becomes supportable or slick, ensure you can arrest a fall on a steep slope. Crusts may have difficulty breaking down without more than the anticipated dash of rainfall Monday morning given the clouds and moderate ridgeline winds. 

If you find yourself punching through the crust into moist or wet snow, you can trigger a wet loose avalanche on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Northerly aspects that recently had 4-6" of mostly dry snow and minimal impact from the sun may be most prone to changes caused by rainfall.  Approach these aspects with due caution. Aspects on the southern end of the compass have seen plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures over the weekend. However, as of early Sunday morning, some cold dry snow remained above the 1/30 crust. If you encounter rollerballs, recent avalanche activity, or active rain on snow, choose lower angle slopes to reduce expure to wet loose avalanche hazard in your terrain.

The last avalanche activity at Hurricane Ridge was reported on Thursday.  Wet loose avalanches were noted on northerly aspects releasing from steep cliffs and were also skier triggered on steeper southerly slopes. 

Below the late January crust a strong and well-settled snowpack exists. 

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.