Lawinenlagebericht

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Avalanches may be wet or dry depending upon your elevation and the time of day. Navigate away from steep upper elevation wind-loaded slopes and lower elevation slopes receiving rain on dry snow.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Increasing moderate winds combined with 3-5" of new snow will be enough to create wind slabs that you can easily trigger. Slabs will grow in size, extent, and reactivity as you ascend in the terrain and as the day wears on. Blowing snow helps you identify slopes where new wind slabs are forming.Sharp cornices and drifts may also help highlight recent wind transport onto lee slopes.  Cracking snow surfaces and punchy layering can both clue you into slab development. Avoid heavily wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees where you find more than 6" of wind-transported snow.

    (2/19/2021) Example: Cornices and drifts like these along the ridgeline of East Peak (Crystal backcountry) can help you identify wind-loaded slopes below.

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1

    As the rain-snow line rises up to around 4500 ft, rain on snow will destabilize dry snow. Expect rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches on steep slopes once rain begins falling on the snow. Wet avalanches may be natural or human-triggered. Steep slopes may put you in danger from above.  Any avalanche that pushes you into rocks/gullies or over a cliff will be most consequential. Move to lower-angle slopes less than 35 degrees or forested terrain as the snow transitions to rain at lower elevations.

    Example: Wet loose avalanche near Sloan Peak.

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday, ONP rangers found wind slabs formed Thursday showing cracking (signs of propagation). These older wind slabs may still be possible to trigger on Sunday, but our eyes are focused on new snow and wind. Saturday was cool and mostly dry with temperatures in the 20s and light winds.

Thursday night and Friday, Hurricane Ridge received 5-6” of new snow. In some locations, the recent snow sits over a thin breakable crust. Given the shallow nature of the soft snow, this could result in difficult travel conditions. 

We tracked several persistent layers in the snowpack over the past few weeks. Recent observations from professionals in the area indicate that while the mid-January and 2/ 7 layers remain intact, triggering an avalanche on either has become very unlikely. This snowpack information combined with a lack of recent avalanches over the past 14 days led us to remove the persistent slab problem from our forecast. If you travel to more far-flung locations in the range, take time to dig and look for weak facets above prominent crusts 1ft and  3-4ft respectively (2/8 and mid-Jan) below the snow surface. 

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.

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