Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Friday will be a transition day as we move away from our recent spring-time weather with light snow and strong ridgeline winds expected.  At upper elevations near the Cascade Crest, you may find new wind slabs have formed on lee aspects.  At lower elevations, if you still find areas with wet punchy snow then avoid nearby steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    There should be just enough new snow near the Cascade crest and plenty of wind to put shallow new winds slabs in higher terrain on your radar Friday.  As you climb in elevation, observe which slopes are being loaded and watch for cracking in the new snow.  Use care in terrain where even a small avalanche could be consquential.  

    You may be able to trigger shallow new wind slabs at higher elevations by the end of Friday.  New wind slabs may build over a new crust depending on elevation and aspect. 

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures will take time to cool on Friday with a solid refreeze below 5500' unlikely until Friday night.  That leaves us in a sort of purgatory regarding wet loose avalanches below treeline, where they are unlikely to trigger, but not impossible, and on the wrong slope they could still be dangerous.  If you find yourself sinking into wet punchy snow, avoid slopes 40 degrees and steeper.  These are the same areas where travel will also likely be difficult due to either wet/moist snow conditions or where you encounter a new thin breakable crust. 

Roughly 2-3 ft of snow accumulated near the Cascade crest earlier this week with strong westerly ridgeline winds during a significant spring snow storm.  WSDOT crews reported a few large avalanches (up to D2.5) that hit the road near the Pass on Tuesday.  Wet loose avalanches up to D2 were observed Wednesday and Thursday.  With SR 20 road clearing operations underway midweek and professional operations in the area spinning down for the season, your observations are needed. If you're out in the mountains, let us know what you see. 

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