Avalanche Forecast

Light rain and snow showers along with cool and cloudy conditions are expected on Saturday. This will not change the overall low avalanche danger and there are no specific avalanche problems expected along the west slopes of the Cascades. 

As a general backcountry travel safety note, watch for terrain hazards (exposed rocks, trees, streams, etc) at lower elevations and on wind scoured aspects. On non-solar aspects with a slick and supportable crust, take extra caution when traversing steep slopes and be prepared to self-arrest if necessary.  

West of the crest about 5-15 inches of snowfall last Sunday was followed by about 3 to 7 inches of rain on Monday with a warming trend Sunday night through Monday. This led to a natural avalanche cycle west of the crest.

Dry and unseasonably warm weather followed through Friday. This has allowed the snowpack to drain, consolidate and generally reset the upper or even entire snowpack. Melt-freeze crusts of varying thicknesses have formed during the clear nights midweek with generally only southerly aspects softening. On some windward or southerly aspects, there is little snow cover. 

While the weather has been pleasant, ski conditions have generally been reported as poor over the last few days.