Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cascades - South East.
The snowpack is stabilizing, but you can still trigger an avalanche on lee slopes at upper elevations, especially near the Cascade crest. Look for signs of wind transported snow such as cornices and pillow-like snow features. Avoid lee slopes above 35 degrees where you see these signs.
Discussion
Strong winds continue to transport snow and wind slabs are likely to be growing at upper elevations and on lee slopes. You may be able to trigger 6-8†slabs where you find wind affected snow above lower density snow or sitting above a firm crust.
At lower elevations, new snow accumulation has been modest since a rain crust formed on Monday. If you encounter areas with deeper pockets of new snow, examine the bond between new and old snow before traveling on unsupported slopes, convex rolls, and slopes steeper than 35 degrees.
Forecast Schedule and No Rating definition
We do not have enough specific snowpack information to issue an avalanche hazard rating for the East South zone. However, even when No Rating is applied, applicable avalanche conditions and backcountry travel advice will be provided throughout the season - this forecast is updated every day, all winter long! When weather systems produce very dangerous avalanche conditions in adjacent zones, NWAC will issue an avalanche warning for this zone as well.
Snowpack Discussion
New Regional Synopsis coming soon. We update the Regional Synopsis every Thursday at 6 pm.