Olympics

The majority of the avalanche hazard exists at upper elevations where older snow survived recent warm episodes. In these ares, you can still trigger a small slab or wet avalanche on a steep slope.  Early season hazards exist throughout the terrain.

You can see the difference 2" of wet, dense snow makes on the landscape in the Olympics. The two "snowy" looking shots in the gallery were taken 12/6 while the bare grass image was from 12/5. 

It's been a warm start to the season in the Olympic Mountains and the snowpack tells the tale. Middle elevation locations near Hurricane Ridge have 2" of new snow above 4,000 ft. That snow sits on bare ground (rock, grass, scree) and it's safe to say that this terrain is not yet "rideable" and 2" of snow alone is not enough for avalanche hazard. However, at upper elevations, coverage increases markedly. In these areas, that new snow or perhaps thicker wind drifts sit on older snow surviving from early season storms. Rangers repported shallow wet avalanches visible on such smooth open slopes last week.

We're expecting some light snowfall with a snow to rain transition above 5500 ft on Sunday afternoon. On slopes with enough snow to ride, your avalanche concerns include:  

1. Fresh or recently transported drifts near ridgeline. Steer around smooth lens-shaped pillows, maintaining awareness that early season coverage may limit your escape options.
2. Once temperatures rise or rain changes to snow, expect snow surfaces to destabilize. Rollerballs may form in previously dry snow as the snow becomes top-heavy and wants to "shed." Move away from steep slopes if you encounter wet, manky, destabilizing snow.

Keep in mind that even where the slope looks smooth and continuous, there may be sharp rocks, downed branches, or other obstacles just under the snow surface. Ride with extra caution as a result, recognizing that your normal strategies for steering around wind-loaded pockets may not work as well in early season conditions. Early season conditions amplify the threat of the generally small avalanches we expect you might be able to trigger this weekend.

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.