Olympics

Avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees near and above treeline where you find freshly drifted snow. Wind slabs may have formed further below ridgelines than usual.  Wet loose avalanches are likely on very steep sunny aspects, especially when the sun comes out Monday.  

Weather stations indicated 6-8" of snow had accumulated through 6 pm Sunday in the Hurricane Ridge area with strong S-SW blowing snow throughout much of the day.  Most aspects had formed a melt-freeze crust prior to this storm.  Observers on Thursday noted a mix of dry snow and melt-freeze crusts in the upper 18" of the snowpack.  Small wet loose and older shallow wind slabs were reported in the Mt. Ellinor area Saturday.

Fresh wind slabs have likely formed further below ridgelines than usual following strong winds Sunday.  Wherever you find freshly drifted and wind-stiffened snow, you may trigger a wind slab avalanche on open slopes steeper than 35 degrees.  Cornices are large and may be ready to fail.  Give them a wide berth as you travel along ridgelines and be aware of the overhead hazard if traveling on slopes below large cornices.

Spring sun following fresh snowfall equals wet loose avalanche potential.  If and when the sun breaks out,  the potential for wet loose avalanches will rise on very steep sunny slopes.  Wet loose avalanches may release naturally below steep rock faces that catch the sun.  If you see pinwheels or rollerballs,  or find yourself sinking into wet surface snow more than ankle deep,  move to lower angle or a shadier terrain.