####018003064#### WWUS86 KSEW 151945 SABWA Summary Avalanche Forecast for Olympics and Washington Cascades Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1144 AM PST Wed Feb 15 2012 This forecast applies to back country avalanche terrain below 7000 feet and does not apply to developed ski areas or highways. Avalanche Forecast Olympics- Washington Cascades- Wednesday and Wednesday night: Generally low avalanche danger below 7000 feet. Slightly greater danger possible on steep lee slopes at higher elevations and on some steep sun exposed slopes during the warmer part of the day. Danger decreasing Wednesday night. Thursday and Thursday night: Generally low avalanche danger below 7000 feet. Slightly greater danger possible on steep lee slopes at higher elevations. Danger decreasing Thursday night. Snowpack Synopsis A weak front passed the northwest Tuesday depositing about 1 to 3 inches of new snow at most locations. The new snow fell with generally light winds and cool temperatures and therefore contains relatively low cohesion. In general, the weather of the past week has been characterized by a split flow pattern causing Pacific storms to weaken as they moved through the region. Each front only deposited a trace to few inches of snow. This recent snow has fallen on a variety of old snow surfaces but mainly onto firm crust layers formed early in February under dry and warm weather that allowed for melt-freeze crust formations, even to high elevations in most areas. Wednesday Sunshine in most areas and slow gradual warming is expected Wednesday. This weather may begin to melt and weaken recent shallow new snow on steeper sun exposed slopes. Watch for shallow wet snow conditions, though only the upper few inches of snow are expected tocome wet. Watch for snowballing or snow falling from trees or cliffs that my trigger shallow wet snow avalanches later in the day. Continue to assess local snow conditions at higher elevations, especially steep northeast to southeast facing terrain below exposed ridgelines where some shallow wind slabs may persist. Thursday Cloudy with light rain or snow showers developing. Only light amounts of new snow or light rain showers at low elevations are expected Thursday. This should not significantly or adversely affect the current mostly stable snowpack structure and the low avalanche danger. However, pay attention to any areas receiving greater than expected new snow, especially if being deposited by transporting winds. NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling 206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood area, or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us. Kramer/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/####018003258#### WWUS86 KPQR 151945 SABOR Summary Avalanche Forecast for Mt Hood area Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1145 AM PST Wed Feb 15 2012 This forecast applies to back country avalanche terrain below 7000 feet and does not apply to developed ski areas or highways. Avalanche Forecast Mt Hood area- Wednesday and Wednesday night: Generally low avalanche danger below 7000 feet. Slightly greater danger possible on steep lee slopes at higher elevations and on some steep sun exposed slopes during the warmer part of the day. Danger decreasing Wednesday night. Thursday and Thursday night: Generally low avalanche danger below 7000 feet. Slightly greater danger possible on steep lee slopes at higher elevations. Danger decreasing Thursday night. Snowpack Synopsis A weakening front passed the northwest Tuesday depositing greater amounts on Mt Hood than in the WA Cascades. The Mt Hood area received depositing about 5 to 7 inches of new snow at NWAC stations including Timberline and Mt Hood Meadows. The new snow fell with moderate to occasionally strong west to southwest winds at higher elevations but also at cooling temperatures. This deposited some shallow wind slab layers at higher elevations on mainly steep northeast to east facing slopes. Reports from Mt Hood Meadows patrol early Wednesday indicated there had been a few isolated shallow natural avalanches that occurred on northeast aspects above 7000 feet. Below these elevations the new snow was fairly low in cohesion and not reactive to skis or explosive control. On windward slopes, the recent snow had been scoured down to an old crust layer. Wednesday Sunshine in most areas and slow gradual warming is expected Wednesday. This weather may begin to melt and weaken recent shallow new snow on steeper sun exposed slopes. Watch for shallow wet snow conditions, though only the upper few inches of snow are expected tocome wet. Watch for snowballing or snow falling from trees or cliffs that my trigger shallow wet snow avalanches later in the day. Continue to assess local snow conditions at higher elevations, especially steep northeast to southeast facing terrain below exposed ridgelines where some recently formed shallow wind slabs may persist. Thursday Cloudy with light rain or snow showers developing. Only light amounts of new snow or light rain showers at low elevations are expected Thursday. This should not significantly or adversely affect the current mostly stable snowpack structure and the low avalanche danger. However, pay attention to any areas receiving greater than expected new snow, especially if being deposited by transporting winds. NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling 206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood area, or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us. Kramer/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/