Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
Watch for generally small avalanches involving new storm snow on a variety of aspects and mainly above treeline Monday.
Detailed Forecast
Another day of weak flow aloft and cool snow levels with mainly afternoon/evening shower activity is expected Monday.  New snow amounts are expected to be light Sunday night through Monday.   Â
For those slopes above treeline with enough snow to present an avalanche hazard...
Shallow storm slabs may develop by the end of the day Monday and bond poorly to a variety of surfaces.Â
It's April, so be aware of increased solar input reaching more aspects and affecting the snow surface more quickly than winter-time. Loose wet avalanches involving shallow amounts of recent storm snow will be also be possible Monday.Â
Due to the continued cool weather, cornices won't be listed as an avalanche problem either but use caution on slopes below cornices and on ridges where it can be hard to know if a cornice is present.
Snowpack Discussion
The storm snow received mid to late March at Hurricane Ridge mostly melted near and below treeline during warm and occasionally rainy weather.Â
A pair of cool frontal systems caused very light accumulations at Hurricane Ridge on Tuesday and again on Friday. Showers may have added a few more inches of snow for the west slopes of the Olympics over the weekend, but not near Hurricane Ridge. Unfortunately, we are still a long way off from building a meaningful snowpack in the Olympic mountains as we head further into spring.  Â
No recent snowpack observations have been received from the Olympics and most areas near and below treeline in the Olympics do not have enough snow 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
Loose Wet
Release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. They generally move slowly, but can contain enough mass to cause significant damage to trees, cars or buildings. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Travel when the snow surface is colder and stronger. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder, shadier slopes once the snow surface turns slushly. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps, cliffs areas and long sustained steep pitches.
Several loose wet avalanches, and lots of pinwheels and roller balls.
Loose wet avalanches occur where water is running through the snowpack, and release at or below the trigger point. Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or tree wells. Exit avalanche terrain when you see pinwheels, roller balls, a slushy surface, or during rain-on-snow events.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1