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

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 24th, 2015–Jan 25th, 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.

Above treeline, be aware of heightened avalanche danger in steeper terrain and near terrain traps relating to wet avalanches.    

Detailed Forecast

The avalanche danger will be listed as low below and near treeline in the Olympics zone due to lack of snow. 

Sunday should be quite warm (freezing levels 11-12 kft) and mostly sunny, although periods of high clouds may affect the Olympics. Despite the high freezing levels, a few factors should help tamp down the avalanche danger Sunday above treeline; rain will have tapered off Saturday allowing the snowpack to drain, weak solar input, and stiff winds in the alpine will all help limit the likelihood of wet avalanches.

Generally avoid steep slopes especially near terrain traps where you might be able to push off enough saturated snow to start an avalanche large enough to take you for a ride. 

Remember, due to the unseasonably low snowpack especially at lower elevations, numerous terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially or completely bare rocks and vegetation are widespread.  

Snowpack Discussion

Snow from last weekend's storm has all but been wiped away by rainfall and warm and windy weather Thursday through Saturday in the Hurricane Ridge area. 

Pro-observer Katy Reid up at Hurricane Ridge reported very low snow coverage with many snow-free areas on all aspects below treeline. There were no avalanche problems below treeline due to the abnormally low snowdepth. No observations were available from above treeline Saturday due to poor weather and visibility but there is a deeper snowpack in this elevation band especially on northerly aspects.  

Avalanche Problems

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: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1