Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
A decreasing avalanche danger is expected Saturday as isolated wind slabs stabilize at higher elevations. There is an increased hazard from an uncontrolled fall on steep slopes with a smooth surface crust.
Detailed Forecast
Cloudy conditions with mostly light snow showers are expected through the day Saturday. Winds should remain light Saturday with only light snowfall accumulations.
This weather is not expected to increase the avalanche danger. Any isolated wind slabs that may have formed late Thursday should continue to settle and stabilize at upper elevations. At lower elevations, firm crust conditions should limit the avalanche potential Saturday. Â This should allow for a gradual decreasing danger Saturday.Â
Continue to watch for any isolated wind slabs that formed Thursday night, mainly easterly facing terrain near ridges above treeline.
Be mindful of the hazards associated with an uncontrolled fall on steep slopes with a smooth surface crust.Â
Snowpack Discussion
Weather and Snowpack
Yet another atmospheric river arrived Tuesday night, bringing another round of heavy rain to all forecast elevations in the Olympics through Thursday morning. The storm total rain amounts at Hurricane Ridge was over 2.5 inches by Thursday morning.
A slow cooling trend began Wednesday night through early Thursday, but only light showers occurred with little to no new snow accumulations at Hurricane Ridge by Friday evening.
The previous wet snowpack has now re-frozen and formed a very hard, firm rain crust, with very little to no new snow above.
Sunshine and warming Friday actually produced some nice corn skiing on southerly facing slopes.
Recent Observations
NWAC's Matt Schonwald traveled from the Hurricane Visitors center to the Hurricane Hill region Friday. A hard, slick surface crust made travel precarious early Friday before the sun and warming began softening the crust. The few inches of snow fell during the tail end of the storm had bonded well and filled in many rain runnels, helping to smooth surface conditions. There was little evidence that the latest rain event produced any avalanches. The main hazard in the Hurricane area appears to be uncontrolled falls on the slick crust.
There was some evidence there may be a little greater snow amounts at higher elevations, where small wind slabs may have formed on specific leeward terrain features, though no direct observations were made of wind slabs. Â
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, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 1