Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Olympics.
Avalanche danger should be limited to above treeline on the high peaks of the Olympics on Wednesday.
Detailed Forecast
Fair weather should be seen on Wednesday with some high clouds especially over the Olympics and north Cascades. Quite a rise in freezing levels should be seen Wednesday so that means significantly warmer temperatures.
The only problem on Wednesday might be loose wet avalanches but only on the high peaks of the Olympics.
Lingering wind slab will be listed as a problem for one more day above tree line but this should also only be on the high peaks of the Olympics.
Be careful if you try to ski in areas with snow in the Olympics and watch for terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation.
Snowpack Discussion
A series of fronts in an atmospheric river crossed the Northwest the past few days. The NWAC site at Hurricane had about 5 inches of WE mostly as rain. What a winter we are having here in the Northwest! Some snow may have fallen in the highest parts of the Olympics but there was little if any at Hurricane.
The meager amounts of snow where there is any that remain at Hurricane are not currently creating an avalanche problem near or below treeline. South slopes at Hurricane are devoid of snow. On shaded or north slopes at Hurricane is there a couple feet of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts.
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
Wind Slabs
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..
Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.
Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 1