Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 13th, 2015 10:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
NWAC,
Northwest Avalanche Center
It is a stretch to find a primary avalanche problem Saturday, but some sunshine later in the day, especially in the southern areas may make shallow wet snow avalanches possible.
Summary
Detailed Forecast
A few showers early Saturday should give way to mostly cloudy conditions later Saturday and cooler temperatures. The cooler temperatures should begin to refreeze surface snow and form a crust at mid and upper elevations. This should put a lid on the potential for any wet snow avalanches.
Loose wet avalanches are unlikely Saturday due to the cooling, some some shallow wet snow may persist.
As a result of the overall low snowpack, especially below treeline, watch for terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation.
Snowpack Discussion
A series of fronts in a warm and wet southwesterly flow crossed the Northwest late last week. The east slopes have seen quite a variety of weather and snow conditions. The Harts Pass Snotel and the NWAC Washington Pass weather station's total snow gages indicate about a foot of snow during this period through late Saturday night. Other areas east of the crest have had less snow or rain.
Warm temperatures and a little light rain at times through the week has allowed for about 6-10 inches of snow settlement or melt.
The snowpack consists of mostly stable melt freeze grains or well settled snow with variable thickness, surface crusts, depending upon elevation and aspect.
Problems
Loose Wet
Release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. They generally move slowly, but can contain enough mass to cause significant damage to trees, cars or buildings. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Travel when the snow surface is colder and stronger. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder, shadier slopes once the snow surface turns slushly. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps, cliffs areas and long sustained steep pitches.
Several loose wet avalanches, and lots of pinwheels and roller balls.
Loose wet avalanches occur where water is running through the snowpack, and release at or below the trigger point. Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or tree wells. Exit avalanche terrain when you see pinwheels, roller balls, a slushy surface, or during rain-on-snow events.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2015 10:00AM
