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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 5th, 2018–Jan 6th, 2018
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Olympics.

A newly forming crust and shallow new snow should limit the avalanche danger in the Hurricane Ridge area. Watch for shallow fresh wind slabs near ridges at higher elevations, especially in areas that may have received greater amounts of new snow. Early season conditions still exist. Expect obstacle such as rocks, trees, and open creeks at all elevations.  

Detailed Forecast

Cooling overnight Friday with light rain showers changing to light snow showers. Showers should end early Saturday with further cooling and light winds.

The moist to wet snow surface will begin forming a new crust with only light amounts of fresh snow expected above.

Light snowfall and higher winds may occur at the upper elevations in the above treeline band. As snow begins to accumulate, keep watch for developing wind slabs on Northerly to easterly facing slopes, mainly if greater new snow is received than forecast.

Early season hazards still exist. Many creek beds have still not filled in for the winter.

Snowpack Discussion

Light rain Friday did little to change the overall strong snowpack in the Hurricane Ridge area.

A strong and well settled snowpack exist throughout the area. Several days of above freezing temperatures in the Olympics has allowed any lingering shallow wind slabs to gain strength.

Layers can still be found in the upper snowpack, but current conditions and observations do not suggest that any of these layers will be of concern.

The height of snow across the terrain is quite variable. Numerous obstacles still exist at all elevations.

Observations

NWAC Pro Observer Matt Schonwald was at Hurricane Ridge Thursday, January 3rd. Matt reported a lack of surface crust in the area due to several days of above freezing temperatures and cloud cover. Travel conditions were reportedly quite good. Observations showed a strong and well bonded snowpack which was unlikely to be affected by the rain Friday. Matt noted the highly variable snow cover with snow heights changing as much as 50% in some places within just a few feet away.