Olympics

Generally safe avalanche conditions will continue through the holiday weekend.  Cooler temperatures will begin to refreeze previously wet or moist snow surfaces at mid and upper elevations.  If you encounter icy conditions at mid or upper elevations, make sure you have the proper tools to self-arrest a fall. 

Saturday's weak weather system brought occasional light rain and snow to the Olympics.  Showers will taper off Saturday night leaving a dusting to an inch or two of new snow as snow levels drift down to 3500' by Sunday morning.  The Olympics should see a fair bit of sunshine on Sunday as freezing levels rebound to about 4500'.  Shady and lower angled slopes at mid and upper elevations that previously had a moist or wet snow surface will begin to refreeze with the arrival of colder weather.  If the new crust is thin in areas where temperatures don't fall below freezing, you may find a wet and punchy snowpack. 

On Saturday, a public observation from Mt Townsend found a dusting of snow at the summit, less than 2' in a wind loaded NE gully, and little snow below 5200' in general. Observers were out in the Hurricane Ridge area on Friday, traveling on foot on southerly aspects so they could access northerly aspects where there was enough snow coverage to link turns.  Thanks to the sustained mild temperatures, they found enjoyable and spring-like conditions at the end of December.  In Khlahhane Bowl on northerly aspects,  roughly 1.5' of snow sits over the latest crust.  There were numerous rollerballs and point releases visible from the recent warm and occasionally rainy weather.  No new avalanches or layers of concern were observed.  

You may see small rollerballs or snow shedding from very steep sunny slopes or cliffs that received a bit of new snow overnight, but generally safe avalanche conditions should continue. Taking any type of ride, be it a small avalanche or more likely, a slip and fall on a slippery slope, would be rough with the menu of objects poking through the snow; rocks, open creeks, stumps, and vegetation. Take it slow and make sure you have the right tools to travel safely during a snow season that's well below-normal for this time of year. 

NWAC may issue a gray "No Rating" for an elevation band when there is not enough snow to present an avalanche hazard.