Avalanche Forecast

Currently several inches of snow are anticipated to fall on Friday along with moderate ridgetop winds. The older snow should be more difficult to transport. However, if more fresh snow falls than anticipated, expect these moderate winds to form small wind slabs that are slightly more touchy than forecast, but still on specific lee slopes.

Small isolated wind slabs will linger into Friday on wind exposed areas near and above treeline. You are most likely to trigger these avalanches on steeper slopes below fresh cornices and on snow drifts. Identify and avoid areas of wind deposited snow.

In sheltered areas, weak sugary surface snow is present over a firm crust.  Use caution if traveling on steep icy slopes where stopping a fall may be very difficult.

Elsewhere in the Hurricane Ridge area generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Look for signs of unstable snow and monitor the weather throughout the day.

Several inches of weak old surface snow exists around the Huricane Ridge area. Near surface facets and surface hoar were observed on all aspects near treeline. In exposed terrain, SW winds transported snow forming small shallow isolated wind slabs on lee slopes.

Below the weak surface snow a strong firm crust exists. Warm wet weather from the first week of February has created a relatively uniform and consolidated snowpack. There are no significant layers of concern below the most recent crust.

Observations

NWAC professional observer Matt Schonwald and NPS rangers were on Mt Angeles Thursday. They observed 4 inches of weak sugary surface snow (near surface facets) on all aspects and elevations traveled. They were able to trigger a small isolated wind slab on an E aspect near treeline. No natural avalanches were observed.