A
THE WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST SUNDAY.
A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY SNOW TO THE AREA. SNOW WILL INCREASE IN THE CASCADES TONIGHT WITH SNOW HEAVY AT TIMES BEGINNING LATE THIS EVENING. PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WILL PERSIST WELL INTO SUNDAY EVENING. HEAVIEST SNOWFALL AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED NEAR STEVENS PASS WHERE AN AREA OF CONVERGENCE IS FORECAST TO FORM OVERNIGHT AND REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY ON SUNDAY. BY THE TIME THIS EVENT COMES TO AN END LATE SUNDAY TOTAL NEW SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 12 TO 30 INCHES ARE LIKELY. IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVY SNOW...EXPECT WINDY CONDITIONS TO RESULT IN AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW LATER TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE EXPOSED RIDGES.
This statement applies to back country avalanche terrain below
7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas.
WEST SLOPES NORTH CASCADES AND PASSES-
WEST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES AND PASSES-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
NORTH OREGON CASCADES-
...AVALANCHE WARNING FOR THE WASHINGTON CASCADES, MT HOOD AREA AND THE OLYMPICS FOR SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY... Large amounts of recent unconsolidated snow with several buried weak layers should be heavily loaded by increasingly heavy snow and strong winds Saturday night through Sunday. This should spread a very sensitive snowpack structure to progressively lower elevations, especially on southeast through northeast facing slopes. Both human and natural avalanche should become likely Saturday night and Sunday, especially on wind loaded terrain. Slides beginning within the most recently deposited snow may trigger isolated larger releases reaching more deeply buried weaknesses, possibly reaching the old early December crust in some locations. As a result of these anticipated weather and avalanche conditions, back country travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended late Saturday though Sunday
Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone between dangers exists. Remember there are avalanche safe areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger. Contact local authorities in your area of interest for further information.
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
A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY SNOW TO THE AREA. SNOW WILL INCREASE IN THE CASCADES TONIGHT WITH SNOW HEAVY AT TIMES BEGINNING LATE THIS EVENING. PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WILL PERSIST WELL INTO SUNDAY EVENING. HEAVIEST SNOWFALL AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED NEAR STEVENS PASS WHERE AN AREA OF CONVERGENCE IS FORECAST TO FORM OVERNIGHT AND REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY ON SUNDAY. BY THE TIME THIS EVENT COMES TO AN END LATE SUNDAY TOTAL NEW SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 12 TO 30 INCHES ARE LIKELY. IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVY SNOW...EXPECT WINDY CONDITIONS TO RESULT IN AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW LATER TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE EXPOSED RIDGES.
This statement applies to back country avalanche terrain below
7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas.
WEST SLOPES NORTH CASCADES AND PASSES-
WEST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES AND PASSES-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
EAST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
NORTH OREGON CASCADES-
...AVALANCHE WARNING FOR THE WASHINGTON CASCADES, MT HOOD AREA AND THE OLYMPICS FOR SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY... Large amounts of recent unconsolidated snow with several buried weak layers should be heavily loaded by increasingly heavy snow and strong winds Saturday night through Sunday. This should spread a very sensitive snowpack structure to progressively lower elevations, especially on southeast through northeast facing slopes. Both human and natural avalanche should become likely Saturday night and Sunday, especially on wind loaded terrain. Slides beginning within the most recently deposited snow may trigger isolated larger releases reaching more deeply buried weaknesses, possibly reaching the old early December crust in some locations. As a result of these anticipated weather and avalanche conditions, back country travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended late Saturday though Sunday
Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone between dangers exists. Remember there are avalanche safe areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger. Contact local authorities in your area of interest for further information.
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
