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                  Summary Avalanche Forecast for Mt Hood area



   Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington



   1211 PM PST Sun Feb 19 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



   Sunday: High avalanche danger above 6000 feet and considerable below

   Sunday. Danger decreasing Sunday night.



   Monday: Slightly increasing avalanche danger becoming considerable

   above 5000 feet and moderate below. Danger slightly decreasing Monday

   night.



Snowpack Synopsis



   A strong front moved over the Northwest late Friday followed by an

   upper trough on Saturday. This caused strong winds and heavy snowfall

   with lowering snow levels in the Cascades. Snowfall totals for the past

   couples days range from about 15-35 inches in the Washington Cascades

   with about 15 inches at Mt Hood.



   This heavy snowfall caused widespread natural and triggered avalanches

   including reports from Hurricane and Mt Baker to Mt Hood. Weak layers

   have been reported at the crust interface from early in the week and

   within the new snow.



Sunday



   Decreasing winds, an end to snow showers and some decreasing clouds

   should be seen on Sunday. The primary concern is sun effects on the

   recent snow. The sun is getting strong enough that warmed and weakened

   surface snow may become active on steep slopes facing the sun. The

   second concern is lingering unstable snow from the storm on steep lee

   slopes. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended on Sunday at higher

   elevations. An end to sun effects, overnight cooling and strengthening

   of weak layers should decrease the avalanche danger by Sunday night.



Monday



   A weaker front should move over the Northwest on Monday. Winds and

   snowfall are not expected to be as significant as the last system. But

   a slight warming trend should cause higher density snow to accumulate

   over lower density layers. Local natural or triggered avalanches should

   be expected on lee slopes at higher elevations. Careful snow evaluation

   and cautious routefinding should be essential on Monday. Decreasing

   rain or snow showers may allow the snowpack to slightly stabilize and

   cause a slightly decreasing avalanche danger Monday night.



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   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.

   Ferber/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington



References



   1. http://www.nwac.us/