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SABWA 



        Summary Avalanche Forecast for Olympics and Washington Cascades



   Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington



   1224 PM PDT Sat Mar 17 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



   Saturday: Considerable danger above 4000 feet and moderate below

   slightly increasing. Danger decreasing Saturday night.



   Sunday: Considerable danger above 4000 feet and moderate below

   especially sun exposed terrain. Danger decreasing Sunday night.



                    Washington Cascades east of the crest



   Saturday: Considerable danger above 5000 feet and moderate below

   slightly increasing. Danger decreasing Saturday night.



   Sunday: Considerable danger above 5000 feet and moderate below

   especially sun exposed terrain. Danger decreasing Sunday night.



Snowpack Synopsis



   A series of storms with strong winds and heavy snow was seen last week.

   Snowfall at sites near and west of the crest ranged from about 4-11

   feet with the most at Mt Baker. The last storm on Thursday also caused

   a warming trend. This caused a forecasted extreme avalanche danger and

   a widespread avalanche cycle in the Washington Cascades on Thursday.

   The largest destructive avalanches were seen in the Mt Baker area which

   destroyed 2' diameter timber.



   Snowfall decreased the past 24 hours with a cooling trend. Only a few

   avalanches were reported on Friday. This indicates that recently formed

   layers are beginning to stabilize.



Saturday



   Moderate to heavy snow showers Saturday morning should decrease and

   become light Saturday afternoon. Winds should also decrease with cool

   temperatures. The main concern will be areas of still stabilizing storm

   layers on lee slopes. Careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route

   finding will be necessary on Saturday. Cooling and further stabilizing

   should decrease the avalanche danger Saturday night.



Sunday



   Light winds with light snow showers mainly in the afternoon hours

   should be seen on Sunday. The main concern should be sun effects on all

   the recent snow. Watch for signs of increasing loose snow avalanches on

   sun exposed terrain which may become large or trigger slab avalanches.

   A secondary concern will be smaller areas of still stabilizing storm

   layers on lee slopes. Careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route

   finding will still be necessary on Sunday. Nighttime cooling and

   further stabilizing should decrease the avalanche danger Sunday 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/