Lawinenlagebericht

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

9 AM Forecast update: Moderate above treeline.  You may trigger freshly formed and small wind slabs below ridgelines on lee slopes.  Plan for decreasing visibility and rising avalanche hazard late in the day and Saturday night as the storm intensifies. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong south winds are actively drifting what little snow is available for transport from earlier this week and redistributing it on lee slopes. You can stick to wind-scoured slopes or more wind sheltered terrain below ridgelines to avoid triggering a small wind slab on Saturday.  Winds and wind slab development will only increase Saturday night, so make a plan to travel safely as conditions worsen later in the day. 

Avalanche Discussion

9 AM Forecast update: Moderate above treeline.  You may trigger freshly formed and small wind slabs below ridgelines on lee slopes. 

After a clear cold night, NPS Rangers reported that 1-2 mm surface hoar had developed Friday morning.  If you're traveling around in the backcountry Saturday, track where the featherly snow crystals are still intact and might be buried by the incoming storm, such as shady aspects out of direct sun and at least somewhat sheltered from wind.  Earlier in the week, several inches of dry and fluffy snow had accumulated at Hurricane Ridge during periods of light to moderate northerly winds.  NPS Rangers observed that winds had drifted the recent snow into soft and shallow slabs.  No new or recent avalanches have been reported. 

Even with some recent snow, travel hazards are still present due to the below normal snowpack.  Unusually dry and warm conditions in January and the first half of February exposed bare ground on many W and S aspects. Photos from these outings remain in the media gallery to remind you of the landscape prior to the snowfall and how the new snow may just be enough to mask shallowly submerging rocks or stumps - or magnify the risk of a small avalanche. Also take your time navigating shallow snowpack areas or open creeks in the valley bottoms.

2021-22 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.

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