BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE OLYMPICS WASHINGTON 
CASCADES AND MT HOOD AREA
NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON
900 AM PST FRI FEB 6 2009

NWAC Program administered by:
USDA-Forest Service
with cooperative funding and support from:
Washington State Department of Transportation
National Weather Service
National Park Service
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association
Friends of the Avalanche Center
and other private organizations.

This forecast applies to back country avalanche terrain below 
7000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski 
areas.

WAZ513-518-519-019-042-501-502-ORZ011-071700-

&&

ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS

*	OLYMPICS-
*	WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST-
*	STEVENS SNOQUALMIE WHITE PASSES-
*	EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES-
*	MT HOOD AREA-
Friday through Saturday: Generally low avalanche danger 
below 7000 feet.
Outlook to Sunday: Generally low avalanche danger below 
7000 feet.

SNOWPACK ANALYSIS
The last significant snowfall was back on about 28 
January when about 6-12 inches of snow was seen near and 
west of the crest. Some light amounts of snow were seen 
at the end of January and the first couple days of 
February with some mild temperatures. The past 3 days 
were dry with mild daytime temperatures.

This has caused the snow pack in most areas to mostly 
stabilize. Some good spring like conditions have been 
reported the past couple days on some south facing slopes 
such as on the Turns All Year web site. Conditions on 
north slopes seem quite varied with some lingering 
shallow loose colder surface snow, or surface crusts, or 
hard rough skiing, or hard rough surfaces or avalanche 
debris.

A general expected upper snow pack structure on south 
slopes seems to be fairly homogenous firm or hard melt 
freeze or equi-temperature snow. A general expected upper 
snow pack structure on north slopes might be more varied 
where one might find shallow crusts and colder snow from 
the past few days, over consolidated snow from late 
January, over harder snow from the inversion pattern of 
mid January.

There are occasional reports of some facets lingering in 
the mid pack on north slopes. But these layers generally 
seem to be protected by overlying thick firm snow or are 
dormant at this time. The last avalanches seem to be 2nd 
hand reports of isolated triggered avalanches reported on 
the FOAC Info Exchange from 2 and 3 February near 
Washington and Stevens Passes. Mostly trace amounts of 
new snow are reported on Friday morning.

DETAILED FORECASTS

FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT
Generally west winds and light rain or snow showers are 
expected on Friday with a slight cooling trend. Clearing 
should be seen Friday night. This should not 
significantly change the generally stable snow 
conditions. Snow conditions may improve a bit with the 
light amounts of new snow. Or the new snow may just help 
hide hard surface features. Back country travelers should 
use normal caution on Friday. The cooling trend should 
favor stability but use caution if more than a few inches 
of new snow is encountered on lee slopes. Clearing should 
be seen by Friday night.

SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT
Sunny weather should be seen Saturday. This should cause 
little change in generally stable snow conditions and a 
low avalanche danger. Continue to use normal caution on 
Saturday. Shallow surface softening or melting is likely 
mainly on south slopes. Use extra caution on any steep 
slope if soft warmed surface snow becomes deeper than a 
few inches. Partly or mostly clear weather should be seen 
Saturday night.

OUTLOOK TO SUNDAY
Fair dry weather and slightly cooler temperatures should 
be seen Sunday. Again this should cause little change in 
overall stable snow and a low avalanche danger.
&&

Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and 
geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition 
zone between dangers exists.  Remember there are avalanche 
safe areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche 
danger.  Contact local authorities in your area of interest 
for further information.

NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling 
206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood 
area, or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us. Also note 
that field snowpack information is often available on the FOAC 
website at www.avalanchenw.org, and weather and avalanche 
glossaries for commonly used terms in the forecasts can be 
found on the NWAC education page.

Ferber/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

$$