Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 8th, 2015–Feb 9th, 2015
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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.

Slightly heightened avalanche danger will be limited to above treeline in the Olympics on Sunday.

Detailed Forecast

Warming is expected Monday with periods of light to moderate rain and snow with generally light winds. This should cause light rain near and below treeline to not have a significant impact on the avalanche danger. Above treeline, some shallow new snow may build small areas of storm or wind slab on isolated terrain features, such as some lee aspects near ridges, mainly NW through NE facing. 

Snowpack Discussion

Heavy rains last Thursday and Friday were followed by a small amount of heavy wet snow Saturday. The meager amounts of snow that remain in the Hurricane Ridge area are not presently creating an avalanche problem near or below treeline. In that area, much of the terrain is snow free or has patchy amounts, and even on shaded slopes there remains generally less than a couple feet of snow. 

Strong, well bonded snow at higher elevations on shaded terrain, consisting of melt-freeze grains and crusts with shallow recent new snow amounts are not posing a significant avalanche problem at this time. Recent wet, heavy snow above treeline may have been transported to some lee slopes below ridges where areas of wind slab may have developed. 

There is currently not enough snow near and below treeline at Hurricane to cause an avalanche danger. 

 

Avalanche Problems

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: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1