SUMMARY BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE OLYMPICS AND WASHINGTON CASCADES NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON 835 AM PST THU FEB 05 2009 COR This forecast applies to back country avalanche terrain below 7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas. WAZ513-518-519-019-042-501-502-061700- && ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS * OLYMPICS- * WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST FROM SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD- * CASCADE PASSES FROM SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD, INCLUDING STEVENS AND SNOQUALMIE PASSES- Thursday: locally moderate danger on north through east exposures above 5 to 6000 feet, otherwise low avalanche danger slightly increasing Thursday night: further slightly increasing avalanche danger becoming moderate above 5000 feet and low below Friday morning: little change in the danger Friday afternoon and night: gradually decreasing danger becoming moderate above 6000 feet and low below * WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST SOUTH OF SNOQUALMIE PASS- * CASCADE PASSES SOUTH OF SNOQUALMIE PASS, INCLUDING WHITE PASS- Thursday morning: low danger below 7000 feet Thursday afternoon and night: slowly increasing avalanche danger becoming moderate above 4 to 5000 feet and low below Friday morning: further slightly increasing danger Friday afternoon and night: gradually decreasing danger becoming moderate above 5000 feet and low below * EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES- Thursday morning: low danger below 7000 feet Thursday afternoon and night: slowly increasing avalanche danger becoming moderate above 5 to 6000 feet and low below Friday morning: further slightly increasing danger, mainly higher terrain near the crest Friday afternoon and night: gradually decreasing danger becoming moderate above 6000 feet and low below SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS Although highly variable surface snow conditions exist in most areas, the overall avalanche danger remains relatively low except for some possible shallow slabs on sun shaded terrain in the northern Cascades and a recent slightly increasing danger during the later morning and afternoon hours on sun exposed terrain. THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT Increasing clouds Thursday morning should be followed by some light showers toward mid-day, with light rain or snow spreading northward and slightly increasing Thursday afternoon and night, especially in the south. Along with significant cooling and increasing ridgetop winds in the south, this should produce a slow increase in the danger. FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…CORRECTED Light to occasionally moderate snow should become mainly light snow showers Friday morning. Along with further cooling and mostly light winds in the Olympics and the northern and central Washington Cascades Friday morning, this weather should maintain existing moderate danger in these areas above about 4 to 5000 feet. However, in the southern Washington Cascades where stronger winds and slightly heavier showers are likely, a slight increase in the danger is expected, especially on higher elevation lee slopes. Low freezing levels, decreasing light showers and winds Friday afternoon and some slow clearing Friday night should combine to produce slowly decreasing danger. && 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 $$