Boletín de aludes

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Mon
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
1 · Débil
Bajo el límite
Sin grado
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 3 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

You may find unstable pockets of wind-drifted snow near the tops of the higher peaks and in the southern part of the zone. Steer around smooth pillow-like slabs, especially in higher consequence terrain.

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–1.5

    Avalanche concerns should be limited to places where the wind drifted the few inches of new snow into slightly firmer and thicker slabs. Given the recent S-SE winds, you may find these wind-loaded spots generally on more northerly aspects. 

    Look for clues like scoured slopes, textured surfaces, and sharp drifts to point toward potential wind slabs. They may be more common along exposed ridges and near the base of cliffs. 

    In the Hurricane Ridge area, these wind slabs may be few and far between. However, in other areas of the zone where more snow fell recent and winds were stronger, this issue could be more prevalent.

    (2/16/2024)

    Example: Visual observations help you anticipate wind loaded slopes.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

This storm system continues to favor the southern and eastern portions of the Olympics. It’s hard to say exactly how much snow fell and where. However, if you venture into these more remote parts of the zone, you could find significantly more snow, greater uncertainty, and possibly higher danger.

Around Hurricane Ridge, 6-8 inches of recent snow typically exist over the firm 2/11 crust. In more wind-loaded northerly terrain, you might find a foot or more. On Saturday, warm temperatures and a bit of filtered sunshine made it feel quite warm. The snow surface became wet and sticky. Piles of rollerballs formed on some steep slopes as trees and rocks shed their recent snow. No significant wet loose avalanches were observed. 

This slight warm-up should help limit wet avalanche activity on Sunday. While you might encounter a moist snow surface, more clouds and less precipitation should keep it in check. If you notice new rollerballs or feel the surface snow is getting wet and gloppy, you may push a small wet loose slide in steep terrain. 

A much thinner than average snowpack continues to plague the Olympics. Minimal snow at lower elevations and on southerly aspects can make travel in these areas very challenging. Exposed rocks, open creeks, and protruding bushes can make any travel route more difficult. 

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

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