Avalanche Forecast
Jan 25th, 2019–Jan 26th, 2019
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Regions: Olympics.
The Bottom Line: Gradually warming temperatures should help the snowpack adjust to some of the warmest temperatures of the season, but we don’t know for certain. We expect small loose wet avalanches on aspects facing the sun. Wind slabs may linger above the most recent rain line and should be difficult to trigger.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
Sunshine combined with the warmest temperatures since November could increase the loose wet avalanche activity on Saturday. These avalanches are most likely to release from steep, rocky, sunny slopes during the warmest hours of the day. Monitor changes in the upper snowpack, looking for natural pinwheels or small loose wet avalanches as clear signs of increasing danger. Avoid terrain traps like gullies where even a small avalanche can bury you. If you see signs that the snow is not adjusting well to the warming, such as glide cracks, cornice failures, larger avalanches, or wet snow that your boot sinks easily into, seek safer terrain.
Wind slabs may linger above the most recent rain-line on steep unsupported slopes at higher elevations. Approach steep unsupported slopes with wind-drifted snow cautiously, feeling for firm or hollow sounding snow as a sign that wind slabs may be present.
We received another recent observation from the Olympic mountains. Low snow coverage below 4000' and evidence of many strong crusts throughout the snowpack told the story of multiple rain events in this area, as well as recent avalanches on lee slopes at higher elevations.
Right now we are forecasting without specific snowpack and avalanche observations from the Hurricane Ridge area due to the government shutdown. If you travel to the Olympic Mountains, please help your local forecast by submitting an observation.