Bollettino valanghe

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 6 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Keep your eyes open for blowing snow and new cornices that can show you which steep slopes you want to avoid. Steer around areas where you suspect the wind deposited snow and seek out more sheltered or lower angled terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Moderate westerly winds Friday night and Saturday should build new slabs that you can trigger on exposed features at mid and upper elevations. These potential avalanches will grow deeper as the day continues. Blowing snow can serve as your simplest clue for which slopes might hold new wind slabs. Sharp cornices and drifts may also help highlight where the wind transported snow onto nearby slopes. If you suspect wind loading on a feature, steer around it, and seek out lower angled and more sheltered areas.

    (2/19/2021) Example: Cornices and drifts like these along the ridgeline of East Peak (Crystal backcountry) can help you identify wind-loaded slopes below.

Avalanche Discussion

Hurricane Ridge may receive a few inches of snow Friday night into Saturday morning. This limited snowfall should allow the avalanche danger to ease slightly. In other parts of the range favored by the strong westerly winds and potential for additional showers, you could experience locally higher avalanche hazard. Thursday night and Friday, Hurricane Ridge received 5-6” of new snow. In some locations, the recent snow sits over a thin breakable crust. Given the shallow nature of the soft snow, this could result in difficult travel conditions. 

We tracked several persistent layers in the snowpack over the past few weeks. Recent observations from professionals in the area indicate that while the mid-January and 2/ 7 layers remain intact, triggering an avalanche on either has become very unlikely. This snowpack information combined with a lack of recent avalanches over the past 14 days led us to remove the persistent slab problem from our forecast. If you travel to more far-flung locations in the range, take time to dig and look for weak facets above prominent crusts 1ft and  3-4ft respectively (2/8 and mid-Jan) below the snow surface. 

2020-21 Forecast Schedule: Avalanche danger ratings will be issued for the Olympics every Friday through Sunday and during mid-week holidays. During the week when the Hurricane Ridge road is closed, forecast information will be updated daily to include expected conditions and relevant travel advice under the No Rating label.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

Regioni coperte