Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the alpine where snow continues to accumulate. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Slab size and sensitivity will increase as snow continues to accumulate. Avoid wind-affected areas where slabs a deeper, more cohesive and reactive to human-triggering.
On Tuesday, low visibility and bad roads kept operators out of the area. We expect backcountry users who venture out on Wednesday will see evidence of a widespread natural avalanche cycle to from within the storm.
If you head into the backcountry by any method of travel, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
35 to 60 cm of storm snow blankets the Cascades. Extreme southwest switching to northwest winds have built thick, cohesive slabs in lee features at treeline and above. This overlies 20-50 cm of recent snow over a crust and a well-settled snowpack in the alpine and upper treeline.
Treeline snowpack depths range from 90 to 180 cm. The last few storms have brought winter to the Cascades, and lower-elevation areas may reach the threshold for avalanches.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm in most areas, 25 cm local to Cheam Peak. Southwest ridgetop winds 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. Northwest ridgetop winds 10 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 to 7 cm of snow. West ridgetop winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop through the day to -20 °C.
Friday
Sunny skies. Northwest ridgetop winds 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperatures -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
