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Backcountry Access Road Closure

Due to recent storm damage, the access road to the northern trailhead is closed until further notice. Please use alternate routes.

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Olympics

Backcountry Avalanche Forecast

This is an archived product. View the most recent forecast.

Author: Sam Clairmont

Issued: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM PST

Expires: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM PST

The Bottom Line

The next avalanche forecast will be issued on Thursday, March 5th, at 6pm.

Avalanche Danger

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Upper Elevations
6500-5500ft0 - No RatingNo Rating
Middle Elevations
5500-4500ft0 - No RatingNo Rating
Lower Elevations
4500-3000ft0 - No RatingNo Rating

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Upper Elevations
6500-5500ft0 - No RatingNo Rating
Middle Elevations
5500-4500ft0 - No RatingNo Rating
Lower Elevations
4500-3000ft0 - No RatingNo Rating

Insufficient data for issuing of danger ratings, but a summary of avalanche conditions exists. Read the summary for more information.

Elevation Band Descriptions
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral Info1 - Low2 - Mod3 - Cons4 - High5 - Extr
Low
1 - Low
Moderate
2 - Moderate
Considerable
3 - Considerable
High
4 - High
Extreme
5 - Extreme
Travel AdviceGenerally 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 AvalanchesNatural 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 DistributionSmall 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.

Forecast Discussion

NWAC will issue an avalanche forecast every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and every holiday mid-week day the Hurricane Ridge Road is open from December until the end of March.  We will issue Avalanche Watches or Warnings when conditions warrant.  We do not update the midweek discussion during non-holiday periods.  Our mountain weather forecasts will continue to cover the Olympics and will be issued twice daily through the end of April.  

Your observations help us build the next forecast.  Share what you see with us and your local backcountry 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.