####018004151#### WWUS86 KPQR 181856 SABOR Summary Avalanche Forecast for Mt Hood area Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1055 AM PST Sat Feb 18 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- Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable avalanche danger above 6000 feet and moderate below early Saturday. Danger increasing Saturday and Saturday night and becoming high on lee slopes above 6000 feet and increasing considerable elsewhere...especially on north through east exposures. Sunday outlook: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on any slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate below. Monday outlook: Slightly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected Monday night. Snowpack Synopsis Increasing moderate to heavy amounts of snowfall at lowering freezing levels and increasing winds were deposited over a variety of pre-existing snow surfaces mid-late Friday into Saturday morning. As temperatures cooled during precipitation, a relatively good bond of the moderate to heavy snow accumulations formed with the most of the old snow surfaces below about 6000 feet, and this has temporarily helped limit the danger increase associated with the increased snowfall. However, a gradually weakening bond with increasing elevation above 6000 feet has combined with stronger winds to create an increased considerable danger on more heavily wind loaded north through east exposures as of early Saturday. Saturday and Saturday night Increasingly strong ridgetop and pass winds, low freezing levels and moderate to heavy snow or snow showers should combine to produce gradually larger and increasingly unstable wind slabs and associated increasing considerable to locally high danger. As a result, increasingly dangerous avalanche conditions are expected overall...but especially on steeper wind loaded north through east facing terrain where human triggered avalanches should become likely to very likely depending on elevation, and where back country travel is not recommended. Sunday and Sunday night Although decreasing light showers and decreasing winds are expected Sunday, cold temperatures should allow only very slow stabilization of existing wind slabs and help maintain the potential for further human triggered slide activity, particularly on previously wind loaded slopes showing no evidence of recent avalanching. Also some brief sun breaks should allow for a slight danger increase on more southerly facing slopes receiving sunshine during the afternoon. Scattered light showers and relatively light winds Sunday night should allow for a slow decrease in the danger. Monday Outlook Briefly increasing light snow is expected to develop in the Mt Hood area later Monday morning and afternoon. Along with continued relatively low freezing levels and light winds, the light to moderate snowfall accumulations should either maintain existing danger or allow for a slight danger decrease as further shallow soft wind slabs are possible. Increasing winds...slow warming...and increasing light rain or snow arriving late Monday night may begin to increase the danger once again by early Tuesday. 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. Moore/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/ ####018006704#### WWUS86 KSEW 181856 SABWA Summary Avalanche Forecast for Olympics and Washington Cascades Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1055 AM PST Sat Feb 18 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 near and west of crest, north of Stevens Pass- Saturday and Saturday night: High avalanche danger on lee slopes above 6000 feet and considerable elsewhere early Saturday. Danger increasing Saturday into Saturday night, becoming high on lee slopes above 5000 feet and considerable elsewhere. Sunday and Sunday night: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on any slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Monday outlook: Further slowly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected Monday night. Washington Cascades near and west of crest, Stevens Pass southward- Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable avalanche danger above 5000 feet and moderate below early Saturday increasing into Saturday night and becoming high on lee slopes above 5000 feet and considerable elsewhere...especially on north through east exposures. Sunday outlook: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on any slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate below. Monday outlook: Slightly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected Monday night. East Slopes Washington Cascades Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable avalanche danger above 6000 feet and moderate below early Sunday. Danger increasing and becoming considerable above 4000 feet and moderate below except for high danger on north through east facing slopes above 6000 feet. Sunday and Sunday night: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Monday outlook: Slightly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected in higher elevations Monday night. Snowpack Synopsis Increasing moderate to heavy amounts of snowfall at lowering freezing levels and increasing winds were deposited over a variety of pre-existing snow surfaces mid-late Friday into Saturday morning, with greatest snowfall in the Olympics and areas near and west of the Cascade crest and gradually decreasing snowfall along the Cascade east slopes away from the crest. As temperatures cooled during precipitation, a relatively good bond of the moderate to heavy snow accumulations formed with the most of the old snow surfaces below about 5 to 6000 feet, and this has temporarily helped limit the danger increase associated with the heavy snowfall. However, a gradually weakening bond with increasing elevation above 5000 feet has combined with stronger winds to create an increased considerable or high danger on lee slopes above 5 to 6000 feet (depending on location). Saturday and Saturday night In the Olympics and most locations near and west of the Cascade crest, increasingly strong ridgetop and pass winds, low freezing levels and moderate to heavy snow or snow showers should combine to produce gradually larger and increasingly unstable wind slabs and generally increasing considerable to locally high danger. As a result, increasingly dangerous avalanche conditions are expected overall...but especially on steeper wind loaded north through east facing terrain where human triggered avalanches should become likely to very likely, and where back country travel is not recommended. Although less new snowfall was received along the Cascade east slopes, much of this snow should be less well bonded to a variety of old snow surfaces. Along with some still quite reactive buried surface hoar layers formed in early February, this should also produce a signficant danger increase...greatest on lee...mostly north through east exposures. Sunday and Sunday night Although decreasing light showers and decreasing winds are expected Sunday, cold temperatures should allow for only very slow stabilization of existing wind slabs and help maintain the potential for further human triggered slide activity, particularly on previously wind loaded slopes showing no evidence of recent avalanching. Also some brief sun breaks should allow for a slight danger increase on more southerly facing slopes receiving sunshine during the afternoon. Scattered light showers and relatively light winds Sunday night should allow for a slow decrease in the danger. Monday Outlook Light snow showers should briefly develop in the north Cascades and Olympics Monday morning, with briefly increasing light snow expected in the south and central Cascades later Monday morning and afternoon. Along with continued relatively low freezing levels and light winds, the very light snowfall in the north and Olympics should allow for a further slow decrease in the danger. Further south, light to moderate snowfall accumulations should either maintain existing danger or allow for a slower danger decrease as further shallow soft wind slabs are possible. Increasing winds...slow warming...and increasing light rain or snow arriving late Monday night may begin to increase the danger by early Tuesday. 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. Moore/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/ ####018006701#### WWUS86 KSEW 181856 SABWA Summary Avalanche Forecast for Olympics and Washington Cascades Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1055 AM PST Sat Feb 18 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 near and west of crest, north of Stevens Pass- Saturday and Saturday night: High avalanche danger on lee slopes above 6000 feet and considerable elsewhere early Saturday. Danger increasing Saturday into Saturday night, becoming high on lee slopes above 5000 feet and considerable elsewhere. Sunday and Sunday night: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on any slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Monday outlook: Further slowly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected Monday night. Washington Cascades near and west of crest, Stevens Pass southward- Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable avalanche danger above 5000 feet and moderate below early Saturday increasing into Saturday night and becoming high on lee slopes above 5000 feet and considerable elsewhere...especially on north through east exposures. Sunday outlook: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on any slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate below. Monday outlook: Slightly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected Monday night. East Slopes Washington Cascades Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable avalanche danger above 6000 feet and moderate below early Sunday. Danger increasing and becoming considerable above 4000 feet and moderate below except for high danger on north through east facing slopes above 6000 feet. Sunday and Sunday night: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Monday outlook: Slightly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected in higher elevations Monday night. Snowpack Synopsis Increasing moderate to heavy amounts of snowfall at lowering freezing levels and increasing winds were deposited over a variety of pre-existing snow surfaces mid-late Friday into Saturday morning, with greatest snowfall in the Olympics and areas near and west of the Cascade crest and gradually decreasing snowfall along the Cascade east slopes away from the crest. As temperatures cooled during precipitation, a relatively good bond of the moderate to heavy snow accumulations formed with the most of the old snow surfaces below about 5 to 6000 feet, and this has temporarily helped limit the danger increase associated with the heavy snowfall. However, a gradually weakening bond with increasing elevation above 5000 feet has combined with stronger winds to create an increased considerable or high danger on lee slopes above 5 to 6000 feet (depending on location). Saturday and Saturday night In the Olympics and most locations near and west of the Cascade crest, increasingly strong ridgetop and pass winds, low freezing levels and moderate to heavy snow or snow showers should combine to produce gradually larger and increasingly unstable wind slabs and generally increasing considerable to locally high danger. As a result, increasingly dangerous avalanche conditions are expected overall...but especially on steeper wind loaded north through east facing terrain where human triggered avalanches should become likely to very likely, and where back country travel is not recommended. Although less new snowfall was received along the Cascade east slopes, much of this snow should be less well bonded to a variety of old snow surfaces. Along with some still quite reactive buried surface hoar layers formed in early February, this should also produce a signficant danger increase...greatest on lee...mostly north through east exposures. Sunday and Sunday night Although decreasing light showers and decreasing winds are expected Sunday, cold temperatures should allow for only very slow stabilization of existing wind slabs and help maintain the potential for further human triggered slide activity, particularly on previously wind loaded slopes showing no evidence of recent avalanching. Also some brief sun breaks should allow for a slight danger increase on more southerly facing slopes receiving sunshine during the afternoon. Scattered light showers and relatively light winds Sunday night should allow for a slow decrease in the danger. Monday Outlook Light snow showers should briefly develop in the north Cascades and Olympics Monday morning, with briefly increasing light snow expected in the south and central Cascades later Monday morning and afternoon. Along with continued relatively low freezing levels and light winds, the very light snowfall in the north and Olympics should allow for a further slow decrease in the danger. Further south, light to moderate snowfall accumulations should either maintain existing danger or allow for a slower danger decrease as further shallow soft wind slabs are possible. Increasing winds...slow warming...and increasing light rain or snow arriving late Monday night may begin to increase the danger by early Tuesday. 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. Moore/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/####018004148#### WWUS86 KPQR 181856 SABOR Summary Avalanche Forecast for Mt Hood area Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1055 AM PST Sat Feb 18 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- Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable avalanche danger above 6000 feet and moderate below early Saturday. Danger increasing Saturday and Saturday night and becoming high on lee slopes above 6000 feet and increasing considerable elsewhere...especially on north through east exposures. Sunday outlook: Slowly decreasing danger expected Sunday except for a slight increase on any slopes receiving sunshine. Danger continuing to slowly decrease Sunday night, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 5000 feet and moderate below. Monday outlook: Slightly decreasing avalanche danger expected Monday, becoming considerable on lee slopes above 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere. Slightly increasing danger expected Monday night. Snowpack Synopsis Increasing moderate to heavy amounts of snowfall at lowering freezing levels and increasing winds were deposited over a variety of pre-existing snow surfaces mid-late Friday into Saturday morning. As temperatures cooled during precipitation, a relatively good bond of the moderate to heavy snow accumulations formed with the most of the old snow surfaces below about 6000 feet, and this has temporarily helped limit the danger increase associated with the increased snowfall. However, a gradually weakening bond with increasing elevation above 6000 feet has combined with stronger winds to create an increased considerable danger on more heavily wind loaded north through east exposures as of early Saturday. Saturday and Saturday night Increasingly strong ridgetop and pass winds, low freezing levels and moderate to heavy snow or snow showers should combine to produce gradually larger and increasingly unstable wind slabs and associated increasing considerable to locally high danger. As a result, increasingly dangerous avalanche conditions are expected overall...but especially on steeper wind loaded north through east facing terrain where human triggered avalanches should become likely to very likely depending on elevation, and where back country travel is not recommended. Sunday and Sunday night Although decreasing light showers and decreasing winds are expected Sunday, cold temperatures should allow only very slow stabilization of existing wind slabs and help maintain the potential for further human triggered slide activity, particularly on previously wind loaded slopes showing no evidence of recent avalanching. Also some brief sun breaks should allow for a slight danger increase on more southerly facing slopes receiving sunshine during the afternoon. Scattered light showers and relatively light winds Sunday night should allow for a slow decrease in the danger. Monday Outlook Briefly increasing light snow is expected to develop in the Mt Hood area later Monday morning and afternoon. Along with continued relatively low freezing levels and light winds, the light to moderate snowfall accumulations should either maintain existing danger or allow for a slight danger decrease as further shallow soft wind slabs are possible. Increasing winds...slow warming...and increasing light rain or snow arriving late Monday night may begin to increase the danger once again by early Tuesday. 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. Moore/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/