Olympics

Discontinuous snow at all elevations will make on-snow travel challenging following a warm and wet week. If the sun pops out Friday, rollerballs or small wet loose avalanches are possible on steep sunny slopes at upper elevations.  

Temperatures at Hurricane Ridge finally fell below freezing on Friday following an extended period of warmth and rain.  Prior to Friday, temperatures had been above freezing all the way back to Jan 26th.  Snow surveys from the Park and also from NWAC's bi-monthly snow depth climatology report paint a picture of a snowpack between 20-30% of normal.  NWAC observers and NPS rangers confirmed that the snowpack took a big step backward this week.  In the Hurricane Ridge area, the snow-line was about 4200' with discontinuous snow found on all aspects and elevations.  There were no signs of new or recent avalanche activity.   Showers on Thursday were beginning to bring a coating of white back to the mountains. A dusting to a few inches of new snow will not be enough to drive an increase in the avalanche hazard on Friday.  At higher elevations and parts of the range that see a bit more new snow, you may see rollerballs or small wet loose avalanches during sunbreaks on Friday. 

Come prepared to navigate travel on and off of snow, open creeks, trees, rocks, etc.  On snow covered slopes, if you find firm and slick crusts, make sure you have the proper tools to self-arrest a fall.  

NWAC may issue a gray "No Rating" for an elevation band when there is not enough snow to present an avalanche hazard.