####018003189#### WWUS86 KPQR 221951 SABOR Summary Avalanche Forecast for Mt Hood area Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1251 PM PDT Thu Mar 22 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 AVALANCHE WARNING THURSDAY Thursday: High danger above 5000 feet and considerable below. Friday: Considerable danger above 5000 feet and moderate below. Saturday Outlook: Considerable danger above 6000 feet and moderate below. Snowpack Synopsis A strong front crossed the Northwest Tuesday causing strong winds and heavy snowfall in the Olympics and Cascades. Mt Hood received about 1.5-2 feet of snow by Wednesday morning. Widespread explosive and ski triggered avalanches were reported by the ski areas on Tuesday. Cars were caught in avalanches but fortunately there were no injuries on Highway 35 near Bennett Pass on Wednesday. The trailing portion of the front lifted north and caused furhter stormy weather and another 1-1.5 feet of heavy snow at Mt Hood by Wednesday night. Unstable storm snow conditions were reported by the Meadows ski patrol Thursday early morning. Thursday Decreasing winds, a few light snow showers, and sun or sun effects should be seen on Thursday. Concern #1: Lingering widespread areas of new potentially deep storm avalanche layers on lee slopes. Back country travel in avalanche terrain not recommended at Mt Hood on Thursday. Concern #2: Sun effects on the recent heavy snow. Natural and human triggered damp or wet snow avalanches are considered likely on steep slopes facing the sun on Thursday. Friday Light east winds and sun or sun effects should be seen again on Friday. Concern #1: Sun effects on the recent snow should still be the main concern on Friday. Remember that initially small natural or human triggered damp or wet snow avalanches can become larger by entraining snow or triggering larger avalanches. This is most likely on steep slopes facing the sun. Concern #2: Lingering areas of recently formed potentiall deep storm avalanche layers on lee slopes. These layers will begin to decrease in extent on Friday. But careful snowpack evaluation should still be required on lee slopes on Friday. Saturday Outlook Sun effects should still be the main concern on Saturday. Smaller areas of storm avalanche layers from mid-week will continue to decrease in extent due to further stabilizing. Continue to evaluate snow and terrain carefully on Saturday. 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/####018003583#### WWUS86 KSEW 221951 SABWA Summary Avalanche Forecast for Olympics and Washington Cascades Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 1251 PM PDT Thu Mar 22 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 Thursday: High danger above 5000 feet and considerable below. Friday: Considerable danger above 4000 feet and moderate below. Saturday Outlook: Considerable danger above 5000 feet and moderate below. Washington Cascades east of the crest Thursday: High danger above 6000 feet and considerable below. Friday: Considerable danger above 5000 feet and moderate below. Saturday Outlook: Considerable danger above 6000 feet and moderate below. Snowpack Synopsis A strong front crossed the Northwest Tuesday causing strong winds and heavy snowfall in the Olympics and Cascades. Most sites received about 1-1.5 feet of snow by Wednesday morning. Widespread explosive and ski triggered avalanches were reported by the ski areas on Tuesday. The trailing portion of the front lifted north and caused more heavy snow at Mt Hood by Wednesday night. But only a few inches or less of snowfall was seen in the Olympics and Washington Cascades by this morning. So recently formed storm avalanche layers on lee slopes in the Olympics and Washington Cascades should have begun to decrease in extent the past 24 hours as they begin to stabilize. Thursday Decreasing winds, a few light snow showers, and sun or sun effects should be seen on Thursday. Concern #1: Sun effects on the recent snow. Natural and human triggered damp or wet snow avalanches are considered likely on steep slopes facing the sun on Thursday. Concern #2: Lingering areas of recently formed storm avalanche layers on lee slopes. These layers will continue to gradually decrease in extent in the Olympics and Washington Cascades. But careful snowpack evaluation will be required on lee slopes on Thursday. Friday Light east winds and sun or sun effects should be seen again on Friday. Concern #1: Sun effects on the recent snow should still be the main concern on Friday. Remember that initially small natural or human triggered damp or wet snow avalanches can become larger by entraining snow or triggering larger avalanches. This is most likely on steep slopes facing the sun. Concern #2: Smaller lingering areas of recently formed storm avalanche layers on lee slopes. These layers will continue to decrease in extent in the Olympics and Washington Cascades. But careful snowpack evaluation should still be required on lee slopes on Friday. Saturday Outlook Sun effects should still be the main concern on Saturday. Small areas of storm avalanche layers from mid-week will continue to decrease in extent due to further stabilizing. Continue to evaluate snow and terrain carefully on Saturday. 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/