Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
The avalanche danger will vary in the Olympics based on recent snowfall and wind affects seen since Wednesday night. Fresh wind slab will continue to be a primarily hazard on Friday near and above treeline. Loose snow avalanches will be likely on steeper slopes. Human triggered storm slabs are possible as new snow becomes more cohesive with daytime warming on Friday.
Detailed Forecast
Orographic showers in cool NW flow aloft Thursday night will wind down Friday morning followed by with partial clearing in the afternoon. The avalanche danger will vary in the Olympics based on recent snowfall and wind affects seen since Wednesday night.  Â
Fresh wind slab will continue to be a primarily hazard on Friday near and above treeline. By avoiding obviously wind loaded slopes, you can enjoy some fine late season conditions. Firm wind transported snow and snowpack cracking can be good signs of wind slab layers.
We will flip which loose snow avalanche we identify as the primary problem with more sunshine expected Friday afternoon versus Thursday. Loose wet avalanches will be likely on steeper solar slopes by mid-day or afternoon. Loose dry avalanches should be small but likely on steeper non-solar slopes. Be aware of terrain traps where even a small loose avalanche could have unintended consequences in the wrong terrain.   Â
Human triggered storm slabs are possible as new snow becomes more cohesive with daytime warming on Friday. Watch for graupel layers received Thursday night to become potential bed surfaces for storm slabs.Â
Recently formed cornices have grown large. If traveling along ridgelines, be aware that cornices break much further back than expected and you don't want to go for a ride with a chunk of cornice. Despite the cool weather, cornice releases can be unpredictable during the spring.
Snowpack Discussion
Weather and Snowpack
About 2-3Â feet of snowfall accumulated at Hurricane March 9-15th.
A combination of sun, mild temperatures and then some rain was seen for several days ending about Sunday 3/20. This weather caused about 10 inches of consolidation of the recent snow at Hurricane which is usually a sign of a strengthening snowpack.
Older winter avalanche problems of wind and storm slab in the Olympics will have mostly settled and stabilized during the mild weather.
A low pressure system crossed the Northwest on Monday and Tuesday. NWAC stations along the west slopes and Hurricane Ridge accumulated a few inches above 4000 feet during this time. Light rain was seen on Wednesday in the below treeline band before a cold front swept through Wednesday night. About 3-6 inches of snow accumulated above 3500 feet Wednesday night and Thursday.Â
Frequent March storms have built large cornices along ridges in many areas.
The mid and lower snowpack in the Olympics should generally be a stable mix of crusts and layers of moist and rounded snow crystals.
Recent Observations
No recent observations have been received since last weekend. It is not known if west winds Wednesday night and Thursday have built new wind slab to the same degree near and above treeline as seen along the west slopes of the Cascades.Â
Hurricane Weather Station
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Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..
Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.
Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1
Storm Slabs
Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.
Storm slabs usually stabilize within a few days, and release at or below the trigger point. They exist throughout the terrain, and can be avoided by waiting for the storm snow to stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1
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: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1