Avalanche Watch For Cascades and Olympics

 

 

Zone Avalanche Forecasts Olympics-Washington Cascades near and west of the crest-Cascade passes-
...Avalanche Watch...
Wednesday morning: danger gradually increasing and becoming locally high on southeast through northeast facing slopes above 5000 feet and considerable elsewhere
Wednesday afternoon and night: little change in the danger Thursday and Thursday night: substantially increasing avalanche danger, becoming extreme above 4000 feet and high below. Gradually decreasing danger late Thursday night or early Friday.

East slopes Washington Cascades-
...Avalanche Watch...
Wednesday morning: danger gradually increasing and becoming locally high on southeast through northeast facing slopes above 6000 feet and considerable elsewhere
Wednesday afternoon and night: little change in the danger Thursday and Thursday night: substantially increasing avalanche danger, becoming generally high below 7000 feet. Gradually decreasing danger late Thursday night or early Friday.

Snowpack synopsis
Increasing snowfall overnight and early Wednesday was  accompanied by brief warming and increasingly strong winds.along with slowly stabilizing but still unstable wind slabs from Monday, this has produced a locally high danger on lee slopes with considerable danger elsewhere.

Wednesday, Wednesday night
Strong winds and moderate to heavy snow early Wednesday should be followed by moderate to heavy snow showers,lowering freezing levels and moderate to strong winds later Wednesday morning into Wednesday night. This should produce a generally increasing avalanche danger, especially on lee slopes. Back country travel is not recommended in steeper wind loaded terrain at higher elevations.

Thursday, Thursday night
Increasingly heavy snow or rain is expected Thursday, along with very strong winds and significantly rising freezing levels. This weather should produce a substantial increase in the danger, with extreme danger expected to develop Thursday afternoon and evening before slowly decreasing Thursday night. Widespread natural or human triggered Avalanches should become certain Thursday afternoon, along With an increasing potential for some large destructive Avalanches. Back country travel in avalanche terrain should Be avoided, and travel confined to lower angle terrain well Away from avalanche path runouts.Lowering freezing levels should allow for a gradual decrease From extreme danger later Thursday night and early Friday.

Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and Geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition Zone between dangers exists.  Remember there are avalanche safe Areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger.Contact local authorities in your area of interest for further Information.

Nwac weather data and forecasts are also available by calling206-526-6677 for Washington,Or by visiting our web site at www.nwac.us.

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