8 AM PST Wednesday, December 17, 2003 ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS... OLYMPICS... WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST... Considerable avalanche danger above 5 to 6000 feet and moderate below Wednesday and gradually decreasing. Further decreasing danger Thursday becoming moderate below 7000 feet. MT HOOD AREA... WASHINGTON CASCADES EAST OF THE CREST... Considerable avalanche danger above 6000 feet and moderate below Wednesday and gradually decreasing. Further decreasing danger Thursday becoming moderate below 7000 feet. SNOWPACK ANALYSIS.... Most Mountain areas of the Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt Hood received 4 to 10 inches of new snow over the past 24 hours. The most recent snow fell with warming temperatures and very strong ridge top winds late Tuesday. This new snow was deposited over the significant amounts of some 2 to 4 feet of snow that has accumulated over the past week along the west slope areas and up to a foot over the east slopes. Most areas had received little new snow for over a day prior to the snowfall late Tuesday, and this helped to settle some earlier storm cycle weak layers. Field reports prior to Tuesday's snowfall indicated that the recent snow pack settlement and consolidation had helped to stabilize the snow pack. However, the new heavier dense snow or wind deposited snow on lee slopes has likely built unstable wind slab or unstable stiff layers over previous lower density snow, especially at higher elevations where strongest winds occurred. The greatest danger is expected above about 5 to 6000 feet on open lee slopes that have received wind deposited snow, mainly north through east facing slopes. At lower elevations the warming and rain or heavy wet snow has likely helped to settle and stabilize previously deposited weak layers in the upper snow pack, either through some natural avalanches or settlement pressures of the new snow. This was evident near Stevens Pass early Wednesday as some shallow soft slabs had released naturally overnight, likely with or near the frontal passage early Tuesday night. Backcountry travelers should continue to use caution, especially in steeper terrain and on slopes suspected of having received recent wind deposited layers such as open slopes near ridges. WEDNESDAY... High clouds with generally light winds Wednesday should lead to a further decreasing danger as recently formed unstable layers consolidate and stabilize, especially at mid and lower elevations. Gradual warming late Wednesday and Wednesday night should allow for further snow pack settlement and an overall decreasing danger. THURSDAY... Variable high clouds with light winds and significantly rising freezing levels. The warming and light winds Thursday should allow for further snow pack stabilization and settlement. This should lead to a decreasing avalanche danger as previously formed unstable layers consolidate and strengthen. However, remember even during times of moderate danger, unstable slabs are possible on steep terrain. Therefore continue to use safe travel techniques and assess local snow pack stability as you travel in the backcountry.