Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2019–Feb 10th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Olympics.

You are likely to trigger a storm slab where recent moderate winds have stiffened snow surfaces or where settlement and sunshine consolidate the thick storm snow layer into a slab. The slab sits on heavily faceted old snow which will increase slab propagation to produce large avalanches.

Discussion

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche danger at Hurricane Ridge has rapidly increased sharply over the past several days. That began to change on Friday as 7" of low-density snow fell quickly during the day with little wind. NPS rangers reported natural and skier triggered loose dry avalanches releasing on steep northerly aspects as the snow piled up. The storm continued into Saturday with moderate winds developing Friday night and delivering up to 2.5’ of storm total accumulation near the Park entrance along with frequent natural Loose Dry avalanches spitting out of steep gullies around 3000 ft. Less total snow is expected at Hurricane Ridge proper.

NWAC professionals in the Hurricane Ridge area on Thursday found about 5-7 inches of low-density snow above the most recent crust surfaces. The snow surface was universally weak with more facets (weak snow) on north through east aspects near and above treeline in the terrain they traveled. Avalanches are more likely to fail on these weaker, older snow interfaces.

Forecast schedule

For the 2018-19 winter season, avalanche hazard ratings will be issued for the Olympics Friday through Sunday and during holidays. We will resume issuing ratings when access is once again available following the recent government shutdown.

General snowpack and weather summaries will be available on days that the Hurricane Ridge road is closed.

Snowpack Discussion

Regional Synopsis coming soon. 

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.