Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cascades - North East.
Fresh wind slabs should be touchy Saturday and generally found near and above treeline. Approach ridges cautiously and watch for firmer wind-transported snow. Storm slabs should be shallow but may exist in specific areas throughout the terrain. Early season terrain hazards still exist, such as poorly covered rocks, vegetation and creeks, particularly at lower elevations.
Detailed Forecast
Generally light and isolated showers Saturday morning should transition to more widespread shower activity in the afternoon. Showers are expected to be heaviest in the late afternoon and evening with some upslope enhancement for the east slopes of the Cascades. See the NWAC mountain weather forecast tab for more details.Â
Fresh wind slabs should be touchy Saturday and generally found near and above treeline.  Approach ridges cautiously and watch for firmer wind-transported snow.
Storm slabs should be shallow but may exist in specific areas throughout the terrain. Â Â
Early season terrain hazards still exist, such as poorly covered rocks, vegetation and creeks, particularly at lower elevations.
Snowpack Discussion
Warm, wet weather before Thanksgiving caused first storm then wet snow avalanches in the Washington Pass area.  Post-Thanksgiving about 2 feet of snow has accumulated in the Washington Pass area. There is now about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) above the Thanksgiving Day crust in the Washington Pass area.
Outside of the Washington Pass area, less recent snow has accumulated for the central-east and southeast Cascades during the week. Snow depths are limited in these areas.
Observations
North
None
Central and South
None
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..
Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.
Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1
Storm Slabs
Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.
Storm slabs usually stabilize within a few days, and release at or below the trigger point. They exist throughout the terrain, and can be avoided by waiting for the storm snow to stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1