Avalanche Forecast

Showers should end by Wednesday with clearing skies, light winds and relatively cool temperatures. Recent shallow snow may have only amounted to a few to several inches over the past few days, but in some areas near and above treeline there may be slightly more recent snow.

Due to the showery nature of the recent precipitation, a fair amount of uncertainty is expected with the subsequent hazard forecast. A moderate hazard rating will be maintained near and above treeline across the Cascades for avalanche problems associated with the recent snow. However, in areas that have received very little new snowfall... expect a lower avalanche danger than the regional forecast. 

It's April, so be aware of the increased solar input reaching more aspects and affecting the snow surface quickly. Loose wet avalanches involving shallow amounts of recent storm snow will be possible Wednesday, especially during direct sun and in the afternoon.  

Due to the continued cool weather, cornices won't be highlighted as an avalanche problem either, but use caution on slopes below cornices and on ridges where it can be hard to know if a cornice is present.

Periods of active weather and mountain snowfall have finally graced the PNW since about mid March onward, and led to a few natural avalanche cycles. 

A front moved across the Northwest last Tuesday, followed by showers and rapid cooling. Storm snow from this system ranged from about 3-10 inches along the west slopes except at Snoqualmie Pass where 15-20 inches fell Tuesday night. A small natural cycle occurred at Alpental likely during heavy loading early Wednesday, but overall the new snow came with little avalanche activity. A front on Friday night brought another 1-4 inches across the west slopes, with an additional 1-4 inches in showers over the past several days. 

The average freezing levels in April have taken a major dive compared to much of this winter, averaging between 3-4000 ft since April 1st. This has helped feed the backcountry reports from across the Cascades near and above treeline of cool, preserved snow on non-solar aspects with limited wind effects, along with gradual storm snow settlement and generally a good bond to the previous crust.  On solar aspects, sun breaks even during low freezing levels have caused generally small loose wet avalanches. Sun crusts may now be found on solar aspects. Rather large cornices continue to be reported along ridges, especially in the north zone.

Snowpack problems west of the crest should remain in the upper or surface layers. The mid and lower snowpack west of the crest consists of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this season. Many areas at lower elevations do not have enough snow to cause an avalanche danger.