Temperatures have been above freezing at Hurricane Ridge since Friday. If you see signs that the snow is not adjusting well to the warming, such as glide cracks, cornice failures, larger avalanches, or wet snow that your boot sinks easily into, seek safer terrain.
Melt-freeze crusts should exist on most aspects to ridgelines following the several days of very mild temperatures and sunshine.
While Loose Wet avalanches will be unlikely on Tuesday, you might encounter wet snow on steep, rocky, sunny slopes. If you start experiencing roller balls or wet snow deeper than your ankle, adjust your aspect to find firmer and safer conditions.
We received another recent
observation from the Olympic mountains. Low snow coverage below 4000' and evidence of many strong crusts throughout the snowpack told the story of multiple rain events in this area, as well as recent avalanches on lee slopes at higher elevations.
Right now we are forecasting without specific snowpack and avalanche observations from the Hurricane Ridge area due to the recent government shutdown. If you travel to the Olympic Mountains, please help your local forecast by submitting an observation.
Forecast schedule
For the 2018-19 winter season, avalanche hazard ratings will be issued for the Olympics Friday through Sunday and during holidays. We will resume issuing ratings when access is once again available following the recent government shutdown.
General snowpack and weather summaries will be available on days that the Hurricane Ridge road is closed.