000 WWUS86 KSEW 081752 SABWA Summary Avalanche Forecast for Olympics and Washington Cascades Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington 952 AM PST Wed Feb 08 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- Wednesday and Wednesday night: Moderate avalanche danger above 6000 feet and low below slightly increasing Wednesday, decreasing late Wednesday Thursday and Thursday night: Avalanche danger slowly increasing Thursday morning, becoming moderate below 7000 feet Thursday afternoon. Danger decreasing Thursday night Snowpack Synopsis Since the most recent snowfall of about 8-16 inches received early to mid last week, mostly sunny and relatively warm days through yesterday combined with slow settlement, some melt related surface slide activity, cool nights and periods of moderate easterly winds to produce highly variable but mostly stable surface snow conditions. Small amounts of new snowfall overnight and early Wednesday have not significantly affected the overall low to moderate danger, but along with slightly increased ridgetop winds, this new snow should be maintaining some shallow slabs on higher elevation lee terrain. Wednesday and Wednesday night Occasional light snow or snow showers early Wednesday should slightly increase Wednesday morning, with light showers and slow warming likely Wednesday afternoon and decreasing showers late Wednesday. Along with relatively light ridgetop and pass winds, this weather should produce a slight increase in the overall low danger at lower elevations while maintaining a few shallow slabs and moderate danger on lee slopes above about 6000 feet. Thursday and Thursday night Increasing light to moderate rain or snow should spread northward late Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with slowly decreasing showers likely Thursday afternoon in the south, and late Thursday afternoon and evening in the north. Along with further warming and increasing ridgetop and pass winds, the generally small amounts of snow or rain expected should produce a gradually increasing and mostly moderate danger. Due to these slightly heightened avalanche conditions, back country travelers should evaluate snow and terrain carefully, remaining aware and away from gulleys or terrain traps where even small slides may be dangerous. 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 Seattle Washington References 1. http://www.nwac.us/