Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cascades - West.
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the West Central Cascades. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible at upper elevations. Travel below treeline remains difficult due to low snow. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision-making are essential.
Discussion
Discussion
High uncertainty regarding current conditions exists for the Cascades-West-Central forecast zone. Avalanche danger ratings for this zone will be issued when more information is acquired.
Variable early season conditions exist. Avalanche danger will change dramatically as you move through the mountains and as slabs build throughout the day. Near and above treeline, natural and human triggered avalanches are likely and could be big enough to kill you. At lower elevations, well below treeline, shallow snow cover may make travel challenging, but may not pose a significant hazard for avalanches.
The main concern is avalanches due to new snow and wind. Underlying the new snow is a layer of weak facets and surface hoar. As new slabs build, it’s possible to trigger large and surprising avalanches. Watch for shooting cracks in the snow, collapses, or avalanches that break widely over terrain features. These are indicators that you should avoid avalanche terrain.
You can trigger avalanches where about 1 foot of fresh snow accumulates. These avalanches will generally be soft and confined to steep slopes. At upper elevations and in wind-exposed terrain, you may find stiffer slabs that could break more widely.
Snowpack Discussion
Regional Synopsis coming soon.