Heavy snow is the defining hazard at Olympic National Park, with 90 recorded heavy-snow events outpacing every other risk in the data — more than double the 49 high-wind events logged alongside it. Combined with 34 additional winter-weather incidents and 16 weather-related deaths statewide, conditions here can shift from manageable to dangerous faster than forecast updates can keep pace, particularly at higher elevations on Hurricane Ridge and the park's interior roads.
Before you leave the trailhead, load a downloaded offline map on your phone since cell service drops out across most of the park, and pack traction devices like microspikes even on spring or fall trips when snow can appear unexpectedly above 3,000 feet. Check the Olympic National Park road-status page the morning of your visit, and carry tire chains in your vehicle — rangers can turn unprepared drivers around at the gate when conditions deteriorate.
Top recorded hazards in Washington
State dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Heavy Snow 90
- High Wind 49
- Thunderstorm Wind 42
- Winter Weather 34
- Wildfire 25
- Frost/Freeze 22
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About Olympic National Park
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!
Weather
Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year. While winters are mild at lower elevation, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains. It is common for different weather conditions to exist within the park at the same time. At any time of year, visitors should come prepared for a variety of conditions.