Avalanche Forecast

A frontal system passing through the Olympics Friday night through Saturday morning bringing windy conditions and light rain and snow will transition to isolated showers with sunbreaks in the afternoon. Snow levels will remain cool for April on Saturday. 

Generally safe avalanche conditions are expected Saturday. Even with Low danger, small avalanches are possible in isolated areas. 

In isolated areas on Saturday look for:

-Fresh and shallow wind slabs that form on lee slopes near and above treeline. If you see fresh cornices, drifted snow, or uneven snow surfaces, wind slabs may have formed on nearby slopes. 

-Mid-day and afternoon sun breaks may allow small loose wet avalanches to release on steep sunny slopes. Look for signs of wet surface snow developing as you travel. New rollerballs, fresh fan shaped avalanche debris, and wet surface snow deeper than your ankle all indicate the potential for loose wet avalanches has developed on similar steep slopes. Avoid slopes with terrain traps where even a small loose wet avalanche could have unintended consequences. 

NWAC pro-observer Matt Schonwald visited the Hurricane Ridge area Friday. Initial warmth and sunshine Friday gave way to overcast high clouds as the day progressed. Melt-freeze crusts softened by late morning in the Hurricane Ridge area making for pleasant travel conditions. New snowfall received early last week has pushed the total snow depth in the near and above treeline bands to a seasonal maximum. Cornices were generally small in the Hurricane Ridge area. Only small loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sunny slopes Friday.  While several layers can be found within the snowpack, there are no significant layers of concern at this time.