####018004116#### WWUS86 KSEW 131635 SABWA SUMMARY BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE OLYMPICS AND WASHINGTON CASCADES NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON 830 AM PST FRI FEB 13 2009 This forecast applies to back country avalanche terrain below 7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas. WAZ513-518-519-019-042-501-502-141700- && ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS * OLYMPICS- * WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD, INCLUDING MT BAKER- * CASCADE PASSES FROM SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD, INCLUDING STEVENS AND SNOQUALMIE PASSES- * EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD- Friday: moderate avalanche danger above 4000 feet and low below Friday night: slightly decreasing danger Saturday and Saturday night: moderate avalanche danger above 4 to 5000 feet and low below, slightly decreasing Sunday and Sunday night: danger gradually and slightly increasing, becoming moderate below 7000 feet; greatest danger on north through west facing slopes * WASHINGTON CASCADES SOUTH OF SNOQUALMIE PASS, INCLUDING MT RAINIER- * CASCADE PASSES SOUTH OF SNOQUALMIE PASS, INCLUDING WHITE PASS- * EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES SOUTH OF SNOQUALMIE PASS- Friday: slightly increasing avalanche danger becoming locally considerable on north through west facing slopes above 5 to 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere Friday night: gradually decreasing danger Saturday and Saturday night: moderate avalanche danger below 7000 feet slightly decreasing Sunday and Sunday night: danger gradually and slightly increasing, becoming moderate below 7000 feet except locally considerable on north through west facing slopes above 5 to 6000 feet SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS Very light amounts of new snow Wednesday and Thursday have combined with intermittent sun to produce some limited snowpack settlement along with a weak surface crust on some sun exposed terrain. However, temperatures have remained relatively cool and along with slightly increasing east to southeast winds near ridgetops and the Cascade passes, this weather has helped to maintain or slightly increase recent generally low to moderate avalanche danger. FRIDAY Light snow or light snow showers early Friday should slowly decrease during the day with partly cloudy skies and scattered light showers expected Friday afternoon. However, continued cool temperatures and slightly increasing easterly winds should help maintain existing avalanche danger, especially on lee slopes where some shallow but somewhat sensitive slabs should remain possible. FRIDAY NIGHT Decreasing snow showers, low freezing levels and decreasing winds Friday night should allow for a slight decrease in the danger. SATURDAY, SATURDAY NIGHT Partly cloudy skies, light showers and generally light winds are expected Saturday and Saturday night. However, low freezing levels should allow for only a slight decrease in the danger. SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT Light snow is expected to develop in the south early Sunday, with occasional light snow or snow showers spreading northward during the day and overall heaviest snowfall in the south. Along with continued low freezing levels and gradually increasing ridgetop and pass winds, this should produce a slow increase in the danger, especially on lee slopes where locally considerable danger is possible. && 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 $$ ####018003204#### WWUS86 KPQR 131635 SABOR SUMMARY BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE MT HOOD AREA NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON 830 AM PST FRI FEB 13 2009 This forecast applies to back country avalanche terrain below 7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas. ORZ011-141700- && ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS * MT HOOD AREA- Friday: slightly increasing avalanche danger becoming locally considerable on north through west facing slopes above 5 to 6000 feet and moderate elsewhere Friday night: gradually decreasing danger Saturday and Saturday night: moderate avalanche danger below 7000 feet slightly decreasing Sunday and Sunday night: danger gradually and slightly increasing, becoming moderate below 7000 feet except locally considerable on north through west facing slopes above about 5 to 6000 feet SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS Very light amounts of new snow Wednesday and Thursday have combined with intermittent sun to produce some limited snowpack settlement along with a weak surface crust on some sun exposed terrain. However, temperatures have remained relatively cool and along with slightly increasing east to southeast winds near ridgetops and the Cascade passes, this weather has helped to maintain or slightly increase recent generally low to moderate avalanche danger. FRIDAY Light snow or light snow showers early Friday should slowly decrease during the day with partly cloudy skies and scattered light showers expected Friday afternoon. However, continued cool temperatures and slightly increasing easterly winds should help maintain existing avalanche danger, especially on lee slopes where some shallow but somewhat sensitive slabs should remain possible. FRIDAY NIGHT Decreasing snow showers, low freezing levels and decreasing winds Friday night should allow for a slight decrease in the danger. SATURDAY, SATURDAY NIGHT Partly cloudy skies, light showers and generally light winds are expected Saturday and Saturday night. However, low freezing levels should allow for only a slight decrease in the danger. SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT Light snow is expected to develop early Sunday, with slowly increasing light snow or snow showers expected later Sunday morning through Sunday night. Along with continued low freezing levels and gradually increasing ridgetop and pass winds, this should produce a slow increase in the danger, especially on lee slopes where locally considerable danger is possible. && 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 $$