Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
The main avalanche problem should be possible small loose wet avalanches on solar slopes on the highest peaks of the Olympics.
Detailed Forecast
A weak shortwave, moisture and instability should continue to linger over Washington on Thursday. Expect cumulus and partly sunny weather in the Olympics on Thursday. This will not greatly change snow conditions.
It's April, so be aware of the increased sun effects reaching more aspects and affecting the snow surface fairly quickly. Loose wet avalanches involving shallow amounts of recent storm snow may be possible Thursday, mainly in direct sun on solar slopes on the highest peaks of the Olympics. Â
Snowpack Discussion
The storm snow received mid to late March at Hurricane Ridge mostly melted near and below treeline during warm and occasionally rainy weather.Â
A large weak upper trough moved over the Northwest last weekend through early this week. This may have caused some light snow at times in the Olympics with low snow levels but there has been little or no new snow at Hurricane. Freezing levels have been very low in April compared to most of the winter, averaging about 4-5000 feet.
Unfortunately, we are still a long way off from building a meaningful snowpack in the Olympic mountains as we head further into spring, as any new snow received doesn't last long with the longer days and stronger sun.   Â
No recent snowpack observations have been received from the Olympics and most areas near and below treeline in the Olympics do not have enough snow to cause an avalanche danger.
Avalanche Problems
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.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1