ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS
April 18, 2006 (Tuesday)


WASHINGTON CASCADES- OLYMPICS- MT HOOD AREA-

Increasing danger both Tuesday and Wednesday during the late 
mornings and afternoons becoming CONSIDERABLE on sun exposed 
terrain and on north through east exposures above 5 to 6000 feet 
and MODERATE elsewhere. Gradually decreasing danger night and 
morning hours Tuesday and Wednesday, becoming MODERATE below 7000 
feet.


SNOWPACK ANALYSIS 
Generally light amounts of new snowfall were received in most 
areas during showers both Sunday and Monday, along with 
decreasing winds and some sun breaks. Most areas received 1 to 3 
inches each day. The substantial snowfall of 1 to 2 feet received 
Thursday through Saturday has settled considerably over the past 
few days. The main wind slab activity from this strong cool 
spring storm was confined to the period during and directly after 
the storm, mainly Friday and Saturday when numerous triggered 
slabs of 6 up to 12 to 18 inches occurred with most running on 
the old crust from earlier in the week. An isolated skier 
triggered wet slab was also reported around the 5000 ft level on 
a NE exposure wind sheltered bowl near Mt Hoodapparently 
releasing during a sun break on Sunday. Sunshine and daytime 
warming produced surface melting and wet loose slide activity on 
Monday on many sun exposed slopes. 

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY-
Partly to mostly sunny skies with variable high clouds and 
warming temperatures both days and generally light winds. This 
should allow for an increasing danger both Tuesday and especially 
Wednesday during the warmest part of the day as recent new snow 
melts and weakens, mainly on steep southeast through southwest 
facing slopes. Triggered wet loose or isolated wet slab releases 
are probable both days during the late mornings and afternoons. 
Remember that even relatively small slides may be dangerous if 
they carry you into or over terrain traps such as rocks, cliffs, 
trees, gulleys or creeks. Also be noteworthy of the recent large 
cornices that likely built along ridges. These cornices should be 
strongly affected by daytime warming and sunshine, and travel 
near or beneath such overhangs should be avoided as they may 
collapse and produce avalanches on the slopes below. Overnight 
refreezing of surface snow should lead to a decreased danger 
overnight and early morning hours. 

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