Avalanche Forecast
Jan 26th, 2019–Jan 27th, 2019
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Regions: Olympics.
The Bottom Line: Although the weather is quiet, the warm temperatures maintain some uncertainty above treeline regarding how recent colder snow interfaces will adjust to the warming. Wind slabs may linger above the most recent rain line and should be difficult to trigger and we expect loose wet snow to develop on the steepest, sunniest slopes.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
Temperatures have been above freezing at Hurricane Ridge since Thursday afternoon. Another warm dry period occurred January 11-15 with two storms in between. We don’t know for certain how the recent storm interfaces will respond. This uncertainty should maintain heightened avalanche conditions at upper elevations, where you might find a lingering wind slab that is stubborn to trigger. If you see signs that the snow is not adjusting well to the warming, such as glide cracks, cornice failures, larger avalanches, or wet snow that your boot sinks easily into, seek safer terrain.
The January 22-23 storm ended warm and likely formed a rain crust to approximately 5500 ft. Melt-freeze crusts should have formed on southerly aspects at all elevations during the high-pressure Breezy conditions on Sunday morning should help keep the snow surfaces cooler, so we expect loose wet snow on the steepest sunniest slopes if winds die down in the afternoon.
While Loose Wet avalanches will be unlikely on Sunday, you might encounter wet snow on steep, rocky, sunny slopes. If you start experiencing roller balls or wet snow deeper than your ankle, adjust your aspect to find firmer and safer conditions.
We received another recent observation from the Olympic mountains. Low snow coverage below 4000' and evidence of many strong crusts throughout the snowpack told the story of multiple rain events in this area, as well as recent avalanches on lee slopes at higher elevations.
Right now we are forecasting without specific snowpack and avalanche observations from the Hurricane Ridge area due to the government shutdown. If you travel to the Olympic Mountains, please help your local forecast by submitting an observation.