Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
Spring-like conditions exist on most aspects, so watch for slick snow surfaces. Reduce your exposure to slopes with cornice hazard overhead.
Detailed Forecast
Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Spring-like weather should continue Tuesday with light winds, cool temperatures, morning sun and afternoon cloud cover.
Another crust will likely have formed on the snow surface by Tuesday morning. Since Friday, 6.5" of snow has fallen and overlies another strong and supportable crust. The crust may weaken during the afternoon hours, but little to no avalanche activity is expected and loose wet avalanches are not likely to be a significant concern on Tuesday.
Northerly aspects should have mostly dry snow with some thin, unsupportable crusts present. Be aware of the potential for shallow loose dry snow movement on steeper terrain.
Although no specific problems are highlighted in the forecast continue to make your own evaluation of the snow and make your terrain selections accordingly. Cornices are an ongoing hazard in the terrain and if one fails it will entrain up to 6" or more of lower density snow on shaded aspects. Additionally, expect the potential for variable snow surfaces including firm crusts, breakable crusts, and various states of shallow powder.
Snowpack Discussion
About 2 inches of new snow was reported Monday morning by NPS rangers and sits on a strong crust formed after 4.5" of snow fell late Friday on another strong and supportable crust.
The new snow was likely moistened by Monday morning's sunshine on E-S-W aspects.
On shaded slopes, a thinner melt-freeze crust formed last weekend. This crust is likely semi-supportable and may be covered by 4-6†of soft snow in some places. Soft snow will be most prevalent on shaded slopes at higher elevations.
Several layers exist within the snowpack. Currently we do not have any information suggesting that any of these layers are a potential problem.
Observations
NPS Rangers, reported 2" of new snow over a strong crust Monday morning.
NPS Rangers, reported 4.5" of new low density snow with no wind effects over the very strong crust Sunday morning.
NPS Rangers, reported a firm and very supportable surface crust Saturday morning.
NPS Rangers found a well settled snowpack on NE aspects around 5500' Thursday 3/15. They did not identify any layers of concern in the upper snowpack. No new or recent avalanches were observed.Â