Bollettino valanghe

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
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1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
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In sintesi

Mild spring weather this week created a generally stable snowpack. Rising freezing levels and light precipitation Saturday may result in rain-on-snow below 5000 feet in elevation.  Pay attention to snow surface conditions and avoid steep slopes where cold, dry snow is becoming wet.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1

    Wet loose activity should be limited on Saturday, but keep it in mind if you experience significant rain on new snow during the day, or if the sun comes out for a prolonged period of time. 

    Signs of weakening snow include rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet, sticky, or rapidly softening snow at the surface. If it does start to rain, expect slopes with dry, cold snow to weaken faster than those with crusts. 

    Any avalanches started tomorrow will probably be small, but they will be wet, heavy, and you will want to avoid them in terrain where they can push you into obstacles, over cliffs, or into gullies. 

    (4/1/2021) The difference between aspects is substantial at the moment: A southeast facing slope on the left, and a northwest facing slope on the right. One holds moist, sticky snow and rollerballs, the other holds dry, settled powder.

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC observations from Klahanie Ridge (4/1) reported 8" of dry snow on N aspects sitting above a 1/2 inch crust. There are small facets just below the crust, but they showed no tendency to propagate in snowpack tests. Solar aspects have surface crusts up to 4" and breakable crust in the sun-to-shade transition zone. Old wind slabs on N aspects were unreactive.

We're forecasting slightly warming temperatures and light precipitation on Saturday. I don't think there will be enough rain to break down surface crusts, but there may be enough to make dry, shaded aspects sticky and maybe even break down the surface snow enough that you can trigger a small wet loose avalanche . . . the most likely scenario is that tomorrows weather change will create even more variability in an already highly variable snowpack!

Cornices are large and looming along many high elevation ridgelines. Continue to travel cautiously along ridgelines and in cornice run-out zones.

Spring Forecast Schedule:  NWAC will issue a danger rating every day for the Olympics beginning Friday, April 2nd  - Sunday, April 18th. 

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