Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cascades - South East.
Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist during a warm and wet storm Thursday. At upper elevations, warm temperatures will make large natural and human triggered slab avalanches likely. At lower elevations, rain on snow will produce many wet loose avalanches.
Discussion
Rain and warm temperatures will wet recent snow that lies above a melt-freeze crust from MLK weekend. Wet snow will slide easily on this crust with the potential to travel faster and further than typical. Slab avalanches lingering at upper elevations and near the cascade crest will be easy to trigger. Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees where recent snow is being rained on or warming.
At lower elevations rain and warm temperatures will make natural and human triggered wet loose avalanches very likely. Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees, especially when near cliffs, creeks and other terrain traps. Remember that loose wet avalanches are often surprisingly powerful and being caught in even a small one can be dangerous.
Choosing lower angled slopes (less than 35 degrees)Â is the best way to avoid an avalanche, like this wet loose slide near Timberline Lodge, Mt Hood. Photo: Geoff Lodge 1-18-20
Forecast Schedule and No Rating definition
We do not have enough specific snowpack information to issue an avalanche hazard rating for the East South zone. However, even when No Rating is applied, applicable avalanche conditions and backcountry travel advice will be provided throughout the season - this forecast is updated every day, all winter long! When weather systems produce very dangerous avalanche conditions in adjacent zones, NWAC will issue an avalanche warning for this zone as well.
Snowpack Discussion
New Regional Synopsis coming soon. We update the Regional Synopsis every Thursday at 6 pm.