Bollettino valanghe

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

With sunshine and milder temperatures expected on Friday, you'll likely see rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes.  You may also trigger a wind slab avalanche on lee aspects in higher terrain and in rocky chutes.  Use care around terrain traps where even a small avalanche could cause injury.  

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    In wind-sheltered areas, there are a few inches of recent snow above the MLK crust, just below the snow surface.  Another day of sunshine combined with slightly warmer temperatures on Friday should help increase the likelihood of small human or natural wet loose avalanches where this loose snow remains.  On very steep slopes or extreme terrain features these avalanches might surprise you if you're knocked over and go for a ride on the underlying crust.  While these avalanches are predictable and small, paired with the wrong piece of terrain, like above steep cliffs, thick tree bands, etc, they could still be consequential. 

    (12/31/2022)

    If you see roller balls like the ones in this photo (Hurricane Ridge Road), you know wet loose avalanches are becoming more likely.   

    Photo: Sam siemens-luthy

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    You'll find firmer recent wind drifted snow on lee aspects in higher terrain.  Steep slopes below ridgelines including the entrances to rocky chutes are the most likely place to trigger a wind slab avalanche.  While most of these avalanches should be small, they may run further than you expect on the underlying crust.  Similar to the wet loose problem, you'll need to consider the consequences of a small slide in the wrong piece of terrain.  That could include taking a rough ride over hard, chunky avalanche debris from last week.  Many southerly aspects were melted back and scoured down during the 12/13th storm.  

     

    (1/16/2023)

    You might trigger a small wind slab avalanche directly below ridgelines.

    Photo: Public Observation, Crystal Mt area

Avalanche Discussion

Professional observer Sam Luthy was back at Hurricane Ridge on Thursday.  2-4" of new snow could be found over what we're regionally calling the MLK crust in wind sheltered areas, with up to 8" on wind-loaded lee slopes above treeline.  He found widespread surface hoar on all aspects.  We'll have to see if this layer is buried by the weekend storm. 

Southerly aspects in higher terrain were largely scoured with lots of exposed rocks showing.  No new avalanches were observed (just small rollerballs on steep sunny aspects) but there was plenty of frozen debris from last weekend, especially on avalanche paths emanating from above treeline and northerly aspects. This debris is a travel challenge on its own, sometimes barely covered by new snow and sometimes barely buried.  We're still below normal snowpack-wise, so plan extra time to navigate other travel challenges and hazards, especially at lower elevations. 

2022-2023 Forecast Schedule

NWAC will issue an avalanche forecast every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and every holiday mid-week day the Hurricane Ridge Road is open from December-early April.  We will issue Avalanche Watches or Warnings when conditions warrant.  New for this season, we will not update the non-holiday midweek discussion.  Our mountain weather forecasts will continue to cover the Olympics and are issued twice a day through late April.  If you have questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] and [email protected]. 

If you're out in the snow, share your observations with us and your local backcountry community.

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