130 PM PST TUE FEB 19 2008
 
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ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS
* OLYMPICS, WASHINGTON CASCADES, MT HOOD AREA-
MODERATE avalanche danger below 7000 feet Tuesday. LOW 
avalanche danger below 7000 feet Wednesday.


SNOWPACK ANALYSIS
Recent fair warm weather has produced major snowpack 
consolidation and stable surface crusts in most areas. 
The Snoqualmie DOT reports a surface crust that can be 
walked and jumped on Tuesday morning.


But warmer temperatures in the afternoons the past 2 days 
have also produced wet snow on some slopes. This has 
caused some isolated wet loose and wet slab avalanches 
mainly on steep slopes facing the sun or at lower 
elevations. The Stevens DOT reported a small slab 
avalanche partly onto the highway at about 3500 feet on 
Monday. The Crystal ski patrol also reported a small full 
depth 3-4 foot slab avalanche partly onto the road at 
about 4000 feet on Monday. Another larger slab avalanche 
possibly to the Xmas crust could be seen to the west of 
the ski area.


Back country skiers the past couple days have reported 
quite varied conditions. Firm snow skiing has been 
reported in the mornings, on lower angle shaded slopes 
and on north slopes. Breakable surface snow but also some 
corn snow has been reported in the midday and afternoon 
hours. Back country skiers also reported some wet snow 
avalanches on steep south facing slopes at Stevens Pass 
on Sunday. The folks at Holden Village reported 
avalanches on steep slopes facing the sun on Sunday. I 
flew home from a trip over the central Cascades on Monday 
and could see local wet snow avalanche debris on many 
steep slopes that faced the sun.


DETAILED FORECASTS 

TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT
Sunny warm weather should be seen through Tuesday 
morning. Back country travelers should watch for wet 
surface snow of more than a few inches in depth. Isolated 
natural or triggered wet snow avalanches should be most 
likely on steep slopes facing the sun. Light rain or snow 
and cooler conditions should be seen Tuesday night. Rain 
or snow amounts should be very light and not cause a 
major change in snow conditions. The cooling should help 
to refreeze surface snow layers.


WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Light rain or snow showers should end Wednesday morning 
with cooler temperatures. Partly cloudy and cooler 
conditions should be seen Wednesday afternoon and night. 
This should cause surface layers to refreeze and become 
firmer on Wednesday. This should make avalanches unlikely 
on Wednesday. Back country travel should be generally 
safe but normal caution is advised. 
&&