Avalanche Forecast

Light rain and snow showers along with cool and cloudy conditions are expected on Saturday. This will not change the overall low avalanche danger and there are no specific avalanche problems expected in the Olympics. 

As a general backcountry travel safety note, watch for terrain hazards (exposed rocks, trees, streams, etc) at lower elevations and on wind scoured aspects. On non-solar aspects with a slick and supportable crust, take extra caution when traversing steep slopes and be prepared to self-arrest if necessary.  

Hurricane Ridge received light snow last Sunday before receiving roughly 2 inches of rain Sunday night and Monday. This may have produced avalanches in some higher elevation areas of the Olympics with sufficient snow cover.

Dry and unseasonably warm weather followed through Friday. In the Olympics this allowed the snowpack to drain, consolidate and generally reset the entire snowpack. Melt-freeze crusts of varying thicknesses likely formed during the clear nights midweek with generally only southerly aspects softening. On some windward or southerly aspects, there is little to zero snow cover. 

While the weather has been pleasant, ski conditions have likely been poor.