Warm temperatures and light rain will destabilize surface snow layers. Manage your terrain use carefully and avoid terrain traps.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Saturday: 5-10mm of precipitation / Light and variable winds / Freezing level 1500m overnight Friday rising to 2000mSunday: 20mm of precipitation (double or triple that possible) / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 2300mMonday: 5-10cm of snow / Light westerly winds / Freezing level at 900mNote: Confidence is low for forecast wind values and precipitation amounts on Saturday and Sunday.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
As of Friday morning, rain had begun to soak the 7-13 cm of snow that had fallen overnight. Wind slabs may remain in areas where winds were strong on Wednesday and Thursday. At treeline and below, the new (saturated) snow overlies either a crust or moist snow from Monday's rain event. In high alpine areas like Sky Pilot and the Chehalis Range the new snow overlies thick storm slabs which developed during the stormy weather at the end of January.The mid and lower snowpack are well consolidated with no significant layers of concern.
Problems
Loose Wet
Rain and rising freezing levels will destabilize surface snow layers.
Wet loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.Use caution above cliffs and also gullies where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Recent heavy snowfall and high winds have created fragile new cornice growth. These monsters may surprise with nasty consequences. Use extra caution around ridge crests.
Falling cornices may trigger avalanches on slopes below.Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2018 2:00PM
