Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cascades - South East.
Stable snow conditions exist after yesterday’s warm temperatures. New snow and wind arriving Tuesday will begin to develop new avalanche problems later in the day. Look for changing conditions throughout the day and stay clear of steep, lee slopes rapidly accumulating more snow than the surrounding slopes.
Discussion
Rising freezing levels and mixed precipitation on Sunday and Monday have helped stabilize conditions. Cold, dry snow under the surface may still harbor weak layers from recent storm snow under the surface at upper elevations.
New snow and ridgetop winds will begin to develop slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations by Tuesday afternoon. Expect generally stable conditions during the day, but as snow accumulates, investigate the bond between new snow and the crust below using small test slopes. Look for blowing snow, fresh cornice development and cracks in the snow as signs that you could trigger an avalanche on similar slopes. Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees on which wind transported snow is accumulating more rapidly than nearby slopes.Â
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.