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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 27th, 2017–Dec 28th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Olympics.

As we enter a storm cycle Thursday, human triggered avalanches will become more likely as denser but shallow storm snow builds over weaker snow during the day. Especially watch for building wind slab on a variety of aspects near and above treeline where there is plenty of low density snow available to transport onto lee slopes. Watch for changing conditions, travel conservatively and rein in your plans if conditions deteriorate faster than expected.

Detailed Forecast

As we enter a storm cycle Thursday, human triggered avalanches will become more likely as denser but shallow storm snow builds over weaker snow during the day. Shallow storm slabs may become touchy by the end of the day. Especially watch for building wind slab on a variety of aspects Thursday predominately near and above treeline where there is plenty of low density snow available to transport onto lee slopes.

Loose wet avalanches are mostly likely encountered below treeline on steeper slopes due to warming and light rain. Avoid terrain traps where even a small loose wet avalanche could be problematic.    

Watch for changing conditions, travel conservatively and rein in your plans if conditions deteriorate faster than expected. See the mountain weather tab for weather forecast details. 

Also despite all the new snow, early season hazards still exist at some lower elevation locales and especially around creek beds that are not filled in.

Snowpack Discussion

Our last major storm cycle ended 12/19-12/20. Since then a series of weak weather disturbances have traversed the area over the last week, depositing about 6 inches of low density snow at Hurricane Ridge. 

Observations

A second hand report of at least one human triggered loose dry avalanche (sluff) caught a skier(s) on Sunday 12/25. No injuries were reported. 

NWAC pro observer Matt Schonwald was at Hurricane Ridge on Saturday 12/24 and reported evidence of north to east winds but no wind slab or significant layers in the upper snowpack. The snowpack structure was generally right-side with good bonds to the Thanksgiving crust.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

 

Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..

 

Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.

 

Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1

Storm Slabs

Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. 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.

 

You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.

 

Storm slabs usually stabilize within a few days, and release at or below the trigger point. They exist throughout the terrain, and can be avoided by waiting for the storm snow to stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1

Loose Wet

Release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. They generally move slowly, but can contain enough mass to cause significant damage to trees, cars or buildings. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

 

Travel when the snow surface is colder and stronger. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder, shadier slopes once the snow surface turns slushly. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps, cliffs areas and long sustained steep pitches.

 

Several loose wet avalanches, and lots of pinwheels and roller balls.

Loose wet avalanches occur where water is running through the snowpack, and release at or below the trigger point. Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or tree wells. Exit avalanche terrain when you see pinwheels, roller balls, a slushy surface, or during rain-on-snow events.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1