200 PM PST WED FEB 20 2008
 
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ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS
* OLYMPICS, WASHINGTON CASCADES, MT HOOD AREA-
Generally LOW avalanche danger below 7000 feet 
Wednesday and Thursday.


SNOWPACK ANALYSIS
Recent fair warm weather 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 and Wednesday mornings. We 
do not have reports of any avalanches the past couple 
days.


The warm temperatures and freezing levels to over 10,000 
feet last weekend and Monday produced wet snow on many 
slopes. This 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 last weekend and Monday 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 

WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Light crest level winds, cloudy or mostly cloudy skies 
and a chance of a few flurries or sprinkles should be 
seen Wednesday morning. Continued light crest level winds 
and fair weather should be seen Wednesday afternoon and 
night. This should cause little change in snow 
conditions. Stable surface crusts should be seen on most 
slopes especially slopes affected by sun. This should 
make avalanches unlikely on Wednesday. Back country 
travel should be generally safe but normal caution is 
advised. Remember to make your own stability assessments 
in case conditions are other than generally expected.


THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT
Slightly increased southerly crest level winds are 
possible Thursday but otherwise conditions are not 
expected to change significantly on Thursday. Partly 
sunny weather is expected in the Olympics and north to 
central Cascades with partly cloudy weather in the south 
Cascades. Stable surface crusts and consolidated snow 
should continue on most slopes especially slopes affected 
by sun. This should make avalanches unlikely on Thursday 
as well. Back country travel should be generally safe but 
normal caution is advised. Watch for and avoid possible 
isolated areas of wet surface snow of more than a few 
inches on steeper slopes facing the sun. Increasing 
clouds and light rain or snow is possible mainly in the 
south Cascades Thursday night and especially Friday.

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