Olympics

You can trigger a shallow slab on wind-drifted slopes steeper than 35 degrees or a dry loose avalanche on slopes 40 degrees and steeper. Any small avalanche you trigger could potentially step down to a weak interface and initiate a large, widely propagating avalanche.  Give yourself an extra margin of safety on slopes connected to large avalanche terrain.

Your primary focus should be to avoid triggering avalanches within new or recent snow.

Increasing westerly winds combined with an expected 1-2" of fresh snow arriving Thursday will drift new and recent low-density snow into shallow slabs. You may trigger slabs on wind-loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper in the lee of ridgelines. Navigate away from areas where blowing snow is actively loading slopes and below fresh, sharp cornices. Slabs are more likely to form on N-NE-E-SE aspects due to the WSW flow. 

In less wind-affected areas, plenty of deep, unconsolidated snow remains. You can trigger a dry loose avalanche on slopes steeper than 40 degrees within deep, relatively unconsolidated snow. 

Any small avalanche you trigger or cornice collapse on Thursday will test a persistent weak interface buried 1/13. That interface now lies 2 or more feet below the surface. We don't know how sensitive the persistent weak layer remains, but a similar snow structure in parts of the Washington Cascades exhibited continued reactivity on Wednesday. The interface might still be reactive to a human's weight.  These deeper slabs may propagate widely across terrain features. Stay alert to signs of instability such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and whumphing collapses.  With a high level of uncertainty,  make conservative terrain choices by steering clear of steep open slopes near and above treeline.

During the last storm cycle, avalanche danger likely peaked Sunday night and early Monday morning during the tail end of the heaviest precipitation and warming.  The Hurricane Ridge area tallied around 30+ inches of snow above 5000 ft during the storm cycle that was mostly wrapped up by Tuesday morning.  

2020-21 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.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.