Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
Despite recent snow, early season conditions still exist. The biggest hazard you face may be striking a buried object in the snow. Ease into the terrain by selecting smaller and lower consequence areas to gather information prior to traveling on larger steeper slopes.
Discussion
Itâs been a slow start to the winter. A thin and variable snowpack reflects the generally warm and dry November and early December. Park Rangers reported 15â of snow on the ground at Hurricane Ridge Sunday morning. Expect numerous early-season obstructions such as trees, rocks, creeks, and even bare ground. Travel slowly and allow yourself time to react to approaching obstacles.Â
Even though we are a few days out from the last storm, be leery of slopes where you see fresh cornices, wind drifts, or deeper snow. Changes in the weather on Monday, such as warming temperatures, additional precipitation, and gusty winds, will continue to change the snowpack. Use smaller test slopes to gain information before entering larger more consequential areas. When the snowpack is thin, even a small avalanche could carry you over rocks or into trees resulting in injury.Â
Forecast schedule
For the 2019-20 winter season, avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays.
During the week, No Rating will be issued but forecasts will include expected conditions and relevant travel advice. While this avalanche forecast is focused on backcountry avalanche conditions expected predominately in the Hurricane Ridge area, we want to hear your observations from anywhere in the Olympics.
Snowpack Discussion
December 12, 2019
After a dry November, this week marks the beginning of more winterlike weather across the region with snow at middle and pass level elevations. While thereâs uncertainty in the weather forecast, it does appear that the snowpack will continue to build to some extent over the coming week.Â
Throughout much of the region, the slow start to winter has left avalanche conditions distinctly defined by elevation. Slopes above 5,500-6,000ft hold a layered snowpack that provides enough coverage for winter travel and avalanches. Below this elevation, most slopes were bare until the past week. At these lower elevations, it will likely take another round of storms before larger avalanches are possible and travel becomes easier.
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Image courtesy of the Natural Resources Conservation Services interactive map showing Snotel weather stations measuring well below normal snow water equivalent for this season so far.
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Upper Elevations
The lack of significant snowfall has resulted in commonalities throughout the region. Slopes above about 5,500ft currently hold the âdeepestâ snow cover and the most layered snowpack. Until the lower elevation terrain builds a more substantial snowpack, the upper elevations will hold the most potential for producing large avalanches. If you dig into the snow in these areas, youâll find a range of height of snow and a variety of layers. Here are a few layers to note:
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The interface of older snow and any new incoming snow would be the first interface to check.
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Snowfall around December 7th and 11th may have buried surface hoar and near-surface facets in some locations. As of Dec 12th, these interfaces can be found 1-2â below the surface.
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A layer of facets can be found near the middle of the snowpack, buried just before Thanksgiving. Where found, the facets are often rounded or have even undergone some melt-freeze metamorphism from liquid water.
While these layers give you something to look at in snow profiles, they may not be your main snowpack concern for the day. Continue to check the daily zone forecasts for the most up to date avalanche conditions. Weâll monitor these layers as future weather brings changes to the snow and avalanche conditions.
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A layer of facets in the middle of the snowpack resulted in sudden test results on Dec 11th. Rock Mtn, N, 6270ft. Photo: Josh Hirshberg.
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Middle and Lower Elevations
At most locations below 5,500ft, slopes are still building uniform snow cover. In many zones, the hazard of hitting rocks or shallowly buried objects may be more significant than the avalanche danger. Depending on future weather, the snowpack could continue to form or could, unfortunately, melt out to the ground. While thereâs little layering of note at these elevations, avalanches arenât completely out of the question with the right weather input. Further low elevation snowfall or warming could drive avalanche activity. The East North forecast zone, including Washington Pass, has more low elevation snow than other zones and therefore more potential for avalanches at these elevations. As with the upper elevations, weâll wait and see what the next round of weather brings.