SUMMARY BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE OLYMPICS AND 
WASHINGTON CASCADES
NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON
835 AM PST THU FEB 05 2009 COR

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

WAZ513-518-519-019-042-501-502-061700-

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ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS

*	OLYMPICS-
*	WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST FROM 
SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD-
*	CASCADE PASSES FROM SNOQUALMIE PASS NORTHWARD, INCLUDING 
STEVENS AND SNOQUALMIE PASSES-
Thursday: locally moderate danger on north through east 
exposures above 5 to 6000 feet, otherwise low avalanche 
danger slightly increasing
Thursday night: further slightly increasing avalanche danger 
becoming moderate above 5000 feet and low below
Friday morning: little change in the danger
Friday afternoon and night: gradually decreasing danger 
becoming moderate above 6000 feet and low below

*	WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST SOUTH OF 
SNOQUALMIE PASS-
*	CASCADE PASSES SOUTH OF SNOQUALMIE PASS, INCLUDING WHITE 
PASS-
Thursday morning: low danger below 7000 feet
Thursday afternoon and night: slowly increasing avalanche 
danger becoming moderate above 4 to 5000 feet and low below
Friday morning: further slightly increasing danger
Friday afternoon and night: gradually decreasing danger 
becoming moderate above 5000 feet and low below 

*	EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES-
Thursday morning: low danger below 7000 feet
Thursday afternoon and night: slowly increasing avalanche 
danger becoming moderate above 5 to 6000 feet and low below
Friday morning: further slightly increasing danger, mainly 
higher terrain near the crest
Friday afternoon and night: gradually decreasing danger 
becoming moderate above 6000 feet and low below

SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS
Although highly variable surface snow conditions exist in 
most areas, the overall avalanche danger remains relatively 
low except for some possible shallow slabs on sun shaded 
terrain in the northern Cascades and a recent slightly 
increasing danger during the later morning and afternoon 
hours on sun exposed terrain. 

THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT
Increasing clouds Thursday morning should be followed by 
some light showers toward mid-day, with light rain or snow 
spreading northward and slightly increasing Thursday 
afternoon and night, especially in the south. Along with 
significant cooling and increasing ridgetop winds in the 
south, this should produce a slow increase in the danger. 

FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHTCORRECTED
Light to occasionally moderate snow should become mainly 
light snow showers Friday morning. Along with further 
cooling and mostly light winds in the Olympics and the 
northern and central Washington Cascades Friday morning, 
this weather should maintain existing moderate danger in 
these areas above about 4 to 5000 feet. However, in the 
southern Washington Cascades where stronger winds and 
slightly heavier showers are likely, a slight increase in 
the danger is expected, especially on higher elevation lee 
slopes. Low freezing levels, decreasing light showers and 
winds Friday afternoon and some slow clearing Friday night 
should combine to produce slowly decreasing 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.

Moore/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

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