Olympics
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Dennis D'Amico
Issued: Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWinds will drift a few inches of new snow around Sunday. Even during LOW danger, you may find isolated areas where you can trigger a small avalanche, like below ridgelines or other lee terrain features with freshly drifted snow. When approaching steep, scoured, and icy slopes, either turn around or make sure you can arrest a slip and fall before crossing.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, March 29, 2026
6500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-4500ft1 - Low
4500-3000ft0 - No Rating
Monday, March 30, 2026
6500-5500ft0 - No Rating
5500-4500ft0 - No Rating
4500-3000ft0 - No Rating
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low |  2 - Moderate |  3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(3/27/2026)
Wind textured snow and a small wind slab avalanche that released below a cornice likely during/after Wednesday's storm.
Watch for new wind-loading in similar terrain Sunday.
Hurricane Hill area
Photo: Robert Hahn
A little bit of new snow and wind may form shallow wind slabs on Sunday, most likely on steep lee NW-N-E aspects at upper elevations and below ridgelines. If the storm stays on track, you're unlikely to encounter much in the way of new avalanche hazard. Evaluate how much snow accumulates during the day and be on the lookout for changing conditions. If you find new wind-drifted snow deeper than 6", steer around steep entrances to slopes where you find new wind rolls. You can test the bond of the new snow to the underlying crust on test slopes.
While we're talking about small avalanches, weigh the consequences in more committing terrain, like steep rocky chutes. Chances are, if you get caught and carried, you're in for a rough ride between the underlying hard crust and plenty of rocks and other hard objects poking out of the below-average snowpack.
Forecast Discussion
On Saturday, climbers on Mt Ellinor reported softening surfaces on sunny slopes through mid-day, and then a sharp change in the weather as temperatures dropped, clouds and winds increased, and a few showers rolled in during the afternoon. No new avalanches were observed, but previously wind-drifted snow was easy to find above treeline. In the immediate Hurricane Ridge area, Rangers reported a new breakable crust on most surfaces following a mild Friday and Friday night, with some softening during the day.
3-6" of storm snow fell with Wednesday's storm in the Hurricane Ridge area. NPS Rangers and NWAC forecasters on Friday found the recent snow resting over a firm crust (knife hard). Rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches released from steep, rocky terrain on Thursday and Friday. On sunny test slopes, they could initiate wet snow to run above the crust. The wind had done some work, with wind-textured snow near and below ridgelines and drifts several inches to up to 2' thick in isolated areas. There was evidence that cornice chunks had triggered a few small natural wind slab avalanches on the lee slopes in the Hurricane Hill area within the last day or two.
Outside of avalanche concerns, be wary of scoured icy slopes. Your best bet is to either avoid them altogether or be sure you know how to self-arrest a fall before crossing a steep, icy slope. It goes without saying this winter: be prepared for plenty of melted-out slopes on southerlies, windward aspects, and lower elevations. In treed areas with snow cover, allow extra time and expect challenging travel.
Sunday is the last day we will issue an avalanche forecast for the 2025-26 winter season. Look for our Spring statement with travel advice starting on Monday. Daily mountain weather forecasts will continue through early May. We will continue to monitor the weather and snowpack throughout the Spring. And please continue to share your observations with the community!
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.