900 AM PST SUN JAN 20 2008 && ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS * OLYMPICS- WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST- MT HOOD AREA- Sunday and Monday: Considerable avalanche danger above 5000 feet and moderate below. * EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON CASCADES- Sunday and Monday: Considerable avalanche danger above 5-6000 feet and moderate below. SNOWPACK ANALYSIS Most areas both east and west of the crest have received between 3 to 7 inches of new snow since Saturday morning with the Snoqualmie Pass area receiving about 12 inches. This recent snow has fallen with cooling temperatures and some gusty winds ranging from northwesterly switching to northeasterly early Sunday morning. Earlier this week under fair weather widespread surface hoar developed and was reported in many sheltered areas. This layer may have been buried by the snow that fell Saturday and should be watched for as a potential weak layer, especially in areas protected from sun and wind. The last significant storm was seen last Monday. This front began warm with many areas receiving rain or freezing rain thus producing a crust before depositing about 6 to 16 inches with very strong west to northwest crest level winds. Despite the strong winds, only isolated soft slabs were reported following Mondays storm mainly isolated to pockets near ridgelines. Little or no avalanche activity was reported Wednesday through Friday. Following Mondays storm warmer and sunny weather produced snowballing and sun or melt freeze crusts on most exposed slopes facing south. FORECASTS SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT Light snow showers ending with partial clearing from the north later Monday. Increasing northeast winds late Monday and Monday night. The increasing winds should begin to transport loose surface snow to lee slopes by later Monday causing an increasing danger, mainly near ridges and on generally westerly facing slopes. Any slides beginning in new shallow unstable wind slab layers may break down to the Mondays crust where it exists. Where this crust is present, recent snow pits have indicated easy to moderate but clean shears on this layer. MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT Fair and cold weather with strong east to northeast crest level winds Monday morning. The strong winds should build further unstable slab layers on lee slopes, mainly higher elevations near ridges. Some sensitive triggered slabs may develop, especially in areas where buried surface hoar may be present. Back country travelers should use extra caution and avoid steep open slopes receiving wind deposited snow, especially west to southwest facing slopes, for example the steep slope leading towards Panorama Point on Mt Rainier where several avalanche accidents have occurred historically. &&