900 AM PST WED JAN 2 2008 && ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS * OLYMPICS- WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST- MT HOOD AREA- Considerable avalanche danger above about 4000 feet and moderate below Wednesday and Thursday. Avalanche danger slightly decreasing Wednesday night but increasing again Thursday. * EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES- Considerable avalanche danger above about 5000 feet and moderate below Wednesday and Thursday. Avalanche danger slightly decreasing Wednesday night but increasing again Thursday. SNOWPACK ANALYSIS Very strong crest level west winds and heavy snow late Saturday through early Monday with snowfall deposits from that storm ranging from about 6-18 inches near and west of the crest with less along the east slopes. The snowfall totals over the last two weeks of December amounted to an amazing 10-15 feet at most sites near and west of the crest! Much of the snowfall previous to this weekend occurred with less wind affects and created deep unconsolidated snow and some fabulous conditions in sheltered terrain. However with the advent of the very strong winds last weekend building large wind slab layers followed by strong easterly pass level winds Tuesday an increased danger has developed. Numerous natural or triggered avalanches have occurred Sunday through Monday. Some large natural avalanches were reported in the Alpental Valley during this time with closer investigation determining one slide exceeding 8 ft at the crown face with several other slides with 4 ft crowns. It appears these slides released down to a lower density snow layer above the crust that formed just before Christmas. Heavy new snow is accumulating early Wednesday along with very strong south to southwesterly winds. This combination of very strong winds from a variety of directions coupled with known weak layers from earlier storms is creating a significant avalanche danger making triggered avalanches probable on a variety of aspects, with the greatest danger presently on northwest through northeast facing slopes above about 4000 feet especially in steeper open terrain near ridges. Extreme caution is urged when traveling in the backcountry and steep open slopes that have received recent wind deposited snow should be avoided. WEDNESDAY A frontal passage is moving across the Cascades Wednesday morning. This is causing heavy snowfall along with very strong winds near crest level. The strong winds and heavy precipitation should build new potential unstable layers, especially at higher elevations and near ridges and mainly on northwest through northeast facing slopes. We are urging caution and advising safe travel routes especially at higher elevations. THURSDAY Another approaching frontal band is expected Thursday. This should cause increasing and very strong southerly winds near crest level and additional moderate to heavy precipitation at rising freezing levels. The heaviest snowfall should occur over the volcanic peaks Thursday where a slightly greater danger increase is expected. This weather should build additional dense and potentially unstable wind slabs on lee slopes, especially northwest through northeast facing at higher elevations. Backcountry travelers are advised to use extra caution Thursday, especially in open terrain at higher elevations and confine travel to windward ridges. &&