####018004271####
WWUS86 KSEW 041737
SABWA 
SUMMARY BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE OLYMPICS AND 
WASHINGTON CASCADES
NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON
900 AM PST SUN JAN 4 2009

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

WAZ513-518-519-019-042-501-502-051700-

&&

ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS
*	OLYMPICS- WASHINGTON CASCADES NEAR AND WEST OF THE CREST-

....AVALANCHE WATCH FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING....

Sunday morning through afternoon: Slowly decreasing 
CONSIDERABLE danger above 6000 feet and MODERATE below.
Sunday night and early Monday morning: Significantly 
increasing danger becoming HIGH above 4000 feet and 
CONIDERABLE below.
Monday afternoon: HIGH avalanche danger above 4 to 5000 feet 
and CONSIDERABLE below.
Monday night: Slowly decreasing HIGH avalanche danger above 
5000 feet and CONSIDERABLE below.

*	CASCADE PASSES, STEVENS, SNOQUALMIE AND WHITE PASSES-

....AVALANCHE WATCH FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING....

Sunday morning through afternoon: Slowly decreasing 
CONSIDERABLE danger above 6000 feet and MODERATE below.
Sunday night and early Monday morning: Significantly 
increasing danger becoming HIGH below 7000 feet.
Monday afternoon: HIGH avalanche danger above 4 to 5000 feet 
and CONSIDERABLE below.
Monday night: Slowly decreasing HIGH avalanche danger above 
5000 feet and CONSIDERABLE below.

*	EAST SLOPES WASHINGTON CASCADES-

....AVALANCHE WATCH FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING....

Sunday morning through afternoon: Slowly decreasing 
CONSIDERABLE danger above 6000 feet and MODERATE below.
Sunday night and early Monday morning: Significantly 
increasing danger becoming HIGH above 4000 feet and 
CONIDERABLE below.
Monday afternoon: HIGH avalanche danger above 5000 feet and 
CONSIDERABLE below.
Monday night: Slowly decreasing HIGH avalanche danger above 
5-6000 feet and CONSIDERABLE below.

SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS
Along the west slope areas and Olympics generally 10-20 
inches of low density snow lie over denser snow over a crust 
from New Years Day. Similar upper snowpack exists along the 
east with less recent snow received. Below these upper 
layers there continues to be weak snow near the ground, 
especially along the east slopes and northeast Washington 
Cascades. Few avalanches have occurred over the past few 
days as recent snow continues to stabilize. 

However, the current snowpack structure is conducive to a 
significant increase in danger if loaded by heavy snow, 
increasing winds or warming...all of which are expected 
overnight Sunday and early Monday.   

SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT
Slow settlement and stabilizing of the recent snow is 
expected under cloudy and cool weather during the day 
Sunday. By late afternoon increasing winds should begin to 
build new wind slabs and begin and increasing danger. Heavy 
rain or snow, strong winds and warming temperatures 
overnight should cause a significantly increasing danger 
with natural avalanches becoming likely. 

MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT
Heavy snow at lowering freezing levels along with strong 
westerly crest level winds should maintain mostly unstable 
conditions and a high danger at mid and higher elevations. 
Previous natural avalanches or less wind at lower elevations 
should slightly decrease the danger there and along the east 
slopes where less snow is expected. Decreasing snow and 
winds overnight Monday should allow for further slow 
decrease in 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.

Kramer/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

$$
####018002848####
WWUS86 KPQR 041737
SABOR 

SUMMARY BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE FORECAST FOR THE MT HOOD AREA
NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON
900 AM PST SUN JAN 4 2009

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

ORZ011-051700-

&&

ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS
*	MT HOOD AREA-

....AVALANCHE WATCH FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING....

Sunday morning through afternoon: Slowly decreasing 
CONSIDERABLE danger above 6000 feet and MODERATE below.
Sunday night and early Monday morning: Significantly 
increasing danger becoming HIGH below 7000 feet.
Monday afternoon: HIGH avalanche danger above 4 to 5000 feet 
and CONSIDERABLE below.
Monday night: Slowly decreasing HIGH avalanche danger above 
5000 feet and CONSIDERABLE below.

SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS
Generally 10-20 inches of low density snow lie over a strong 
crust formed after rain late New Years Day. He rain caused 
a significant avalanche cycle, however few avalanches have 
occurred over the past few days as recent new soft snow 
continues to stabilize over the crust. 

Special note: the current snowpack structure is conducive to 
a significant increase in danger if loaded by heavy snow, 
increasing winds or warming...all of which are expected 
overnight Sunday and early Monday.   

SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT
Slow settlement and stabilizing of the recent snow is 
expected under cloudy and cool weather during the day 
Sunday. By late afternoon increasing winds should begin to 
build new wind slabs and begin and increasing danger. Heavy 
rain or snow, strong winds and warming temperatures 
overnight should cause a significantly increasing danger 
with natural avalanches becoming likely. 

MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT
Heavy snow at lowering freezing levels along with strong 
westerly crest level winds should maintain mostly unstable 
conditions at all elevations early Monday with a high danger 
expected and further natural avalanches in steeper terrain. 
Previous natural avalanches or less wind at lower elevations 
should slightly decrease the danger later Monday and 
overnight Monday. 
 
&&

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.

Kramer/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

$$