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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 28th, 2015–Mar 29th, 2015

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Olympics.

A mix of winter and spring avalanche conditions is likely above treeline but limited mainly to the higher peaks of the Olympics on Sunday.

Detailed Forecast

Southwest flow on the west side of an upper ridge will continue to carry frontal moisture mainly to BC through Sunday. Expect some occasional light showers in the Olympics and northwest Cascades with fairer conditions east of the crest and further south with moderate temperatures.

Avalanche problems should be limited to near and above treeline on the higher peaks of the Olympics.

Watch for possible wet surface snow deeper than a few inches, increasing snow balling or natural loose wet avalanches. While a loose wet avalanche problem should be mainly on solar slopes watch for it on all steep slopes with significant snow.

Wind slab may linger on lee slopes above tree line. Watch for possible firmer previously wind transported snow mainly on north to east aspects.

Most areas near and below treeline in the Olympics do not have enough snow to cause an avalanche danger.

Snowpack Discussion

The storm snow from mid to late March at Hurricane Ridge and in the areas below treeline mostly melted in warm weather or rain events including the mid 50 degree sunshine Thursday and Friday. 

The remaining snow, having undergone several melt-freeze cycles of late, should be well consolidated at this point. There have been no reports by rangers or other observers, of any loose wet slide activity over the past few days.

A vigorous front and short wave crossed the Northwest Friday night causing strong west-southwest winds, some rain and snow and lowering snow levels. But snowfall should have been light at Hurricane and bonded well to previous wet snow.

While the snowpack remains meager along Hurricane Ridge, there is likely only enough snow for avalanches near and above treeline on the higher peaks of the Olympics.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the 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. 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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the 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.