Dan_Miller Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 SPECIAL AVALANCHE STATEMENT FOR THE OLYMPICS WASHINGTON CASCADES AND MT HOOD AREA NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON 10 AM PDT THU APR 10 2008 This statement 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-ORZ011-111700- OLYMPICS- WEST SLOPES NORTH CASCADES AND PASSES- WEST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES AND PASSES- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES- EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES- EAST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON- EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON- NORTH OREGON CASCADES- 10 AM PDT THU APR 10 2008 ..SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING AVALANCHE DANGER EXPECTED FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND... New snowfall in April now totaling over 40 inches in some areas should be increasingly warmed, melted and weakened by the first truly spring-like weather of the year Friday, Saturday and early Sunday. Mostly fair skies and the highest, sustained freezing levels since last fall should make the recently received snow increasingly wet and weak over the next several days. As a result, a significant slide cycle is likely in the Washington Cascades, Olympics and Mt Hood area. A variety of avalanches including cornice falls, loose, wet loose, slab or wet slab slides-depending on location-are expected with some involving most or all of the snow down to the late March crust. While such slides may start out relatively small, they should entrain considerable moist snow as they descend, with some slides at lower elevations-generally below about 3000 ft-possibly gouging into the weakening snowpack all the way to the ground. Back country travelers should exercise increasing caution and awareness over the next several days and back country travel in sun exposed avalanche terrain is not recommended. Stability tests are strongly encouraged to help determine how easily near surface snow may release. Be sure to make every trip a round trip and be around to enjoy the rest of the spring. Quote
Hendershot Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 Word. The last thing we need is another disaster at the end of an already brutal season. Quote
mattp Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 Yeah. Thanks. That causes me to engage in some reconsideration of my weekend plans. Quote
ivan Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 bring yer surf boards! hmmm - wake up ball-early only to slog aroudn in the deep, gloppy avy snow or climb sun-kist rock in a t-shirt while drinking beers? there's a tough decision to make... Quote
Hugh Conway Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 C’mon, C’mon gimme a break, how much more winter can I take? Enuf, enuf, let spring be born, I’m more than ready for sun and corn. Okay, okay, today’s the last, and then winter fades into the past. At least for awhile you will cheer, as sun and warmth caress your gear. While Friday and Saturday will herald spring, an increased danger warmth will bring. As snow warms and melts and begins to flow, downhill the slides will merrily go. While some slides may start rather small, it’s easy not to heed their call. But as melt progresses deeper, larger slides will fall on angles steeper. So increased caution’s strongly urged, until the recent new snow’s been purged. Since locally high danger may develop, don’t let yourself the slides envelop. Quote
billbob Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 (edited) we wait and we wait for a break in the weather planning the routes to climb up together but avi's are nigh so let's all get high and climb up the breasts of young Heather! now, if that isn't the dumbest thing I've ever written..! Edited April 10, 2008 by billbob Quote
ivan Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 i'm afraid i'll need a picture of said heather before i can agree to this Quote
ivan Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 Will these do? good lord - i'm all for the ladies letting the girls free, but damn, heather looks like an albino zulu-princess w/o a bra! Quote
billbob Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 (edited) We digress from a serious subject... Edited April 11, 2008 by billbob Quote
Dan_Miller Posted April 11, 2008 Author Posted April 11, 2008 I hate to overdo this but the NWAC is just so persistent. Not sure if Heather and I will head out there tomorrow or not. Anyway here's the most current report: SPECIAL AVALANCHE STATEMENT FOR THE OLYMPICS WASHINGTON CASCADES AND MT HOOD AREA NORTHWEST WEATHER AND AVALANCHE CENTER SEATTLE WASHINGTON 10 AM PDT FRI APR 11 2008 This statement 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-ORZ011-121700- OLYMPICS- WEST SLOPES NORTH CASCADES AND PASSES- WEST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES AND PASSES- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES- EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES- EAST SLOPES CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON- EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON- NORTH OREGON CASCADES- 10 AM PDT FRI APR 11 2008 ..SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING AVALANCHE DANGER EXPECTED FRIDAY AND INTO THE WEEKEND... Over the past week most west slope Cascade areas have received 1 to 3 feet of snowfall with up to 4 feet on Mt Hood. Sunny and very warm conditions Friday and again Saturday should melt and weaken surface snow and increasingly deeper layers. This is the first warm weather of the spring and should lead to a natural avalanche cycle. Recent reports Friday morning from Mt Rainier personnel indicate there have already been natural wet snow avalanches reaching the road towards Paradise. These wet snow avalanches are likely to travel fast and run long distances, entraining considerable snow as they descend. Therefore, backcountry travel on steeper sun exposed terrain is not recommended during and late mornings and afternoon both Friday and Saturday. Stability tests are strongly encouraged to help determine how easily near surface snow may release. Be sure to make every trip a round trip and be around to enjoy the rest of the spring. $$ Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone between dangers exists. Remember there are avalanche safe areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger. Contact local authorities in your area of interest for further information. NWAC weather data and forecasts are also available by calling 206-526-6677 for Washington, 503-808-2400 for the Mt Hood area, or by visiting our Web site at www.nwac.us. Kramer/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center $$ Quote
jmace Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 C’mon, C’mon gimme a break, how much more winter can I take? Enuf, enuf, let spring be born, I’m more than ready for sun and corn. I bet alot more..wouldnt be suprised to see a few more feet accumulate over then next few weeks as fr levels hang around 500-1000 m Quote
jmace Posted April 15, 2008 Posted April 15, 2008 LONG TERM FROM THE PREV DISCUSSION...BIG STORY OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IS THE REMARKABLY CONSISTENT LONG RANGE FORECAST THAT SHOWS A VERY STRONG AND BROAD UPPER LEVEL CLOSED LOW SWINGING SOUTH THROUGH BRITISH COLUMBIA ON FRIDAY... AND SETTLES OVER THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THROUGH THE WEEKEND. 500 MB HEIGHTS WILL DROP FROM 570 DAM ON THU TO A WHOPPING 525 DAM BY SAT. NO SURPRISE THAT THE AIRMASS WILL BE COLD/UNSTABLE WITH 500 TEMPS DOWN TO -39C WITH 850 MB READINGS BACK TO -8 AND -9C ACROSS W WA. 500mb = 5000 m 850 mb = 1500 m The last time it was cold like that up high was near the end of March this year which gave us snow all the way to sea level. Here again we are looking at some possibly very cold temps up high for this time of year and really even winter. A good article which ran a few weeks ago after the record cold Komo Article so its not quite over yet..maybe we can even get one more dusting at sea level Quote
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