Oregon, Washington avalanche warning in effect through weekend

The Northwest Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for Oregon and Washington’s backcountry on Thursday that will last until Sunday.

Why It Matters

A winter storm currently hitting Washington and Oregon could cause “dangerous avalanche conditions,” according to a special bulletin issued Thursday evening. People in the mountains “may easily trigger” avalanches that could bury or injure them or others, forecasters warn.

What To Know

The avalanche bulletin is for the Washington Cascades from the Canadian border to the Columbia River, as well as Mount Hood in northwest Oregon and the Olympic Mountains in western Washington.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central Cascades of Oregon are to get between 6 and 12 inches of snow above 3,000 feet and up to 15 inches of snow above 5,000 feet.

The Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest are to get between 8 and 18 inches of snow above 3,000 feet and the southern Oregon Cascades and the Siskiyou Mountains, a subrange located in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, are to get between 12 and 24 inches of snow above 5,000 feet and potentially up to 30 inches of snow at the highest peaks and ridgetops, the NWS said.

The weather service also warned that the West Slopes North Cascades and Passes, West Slopes North Central Cascades and Passes and West Slopes South Central Cascades and Passes are to get between 10 and 30 inches of snow above 3,000 feet.

The Northwest Avalanche Center warned that a mix of the winter storm, a variable and weak snowpack and a busy weekend in the mountains could not only “easily trigger” an avalanche, but cause it to “break widely.”

What People Are Saying

The Northwest Avalanche Center said in its special bulletin: “A prolonged dry period in January created a highly variable and potentially weak snowpack. Active weather, including significant snowfall and winds, could make these layers unstable. Humans may easily trigger avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person.”

The NWS said in one of the warnings issued Friday: “Consider postponing travel until weather conditions improve,” adding, “Backcountry recreation is not advised.”

What Happens Next

The Northwest Avalanche Center advised people in the backcountry to take “extra caution” from now until the bulletin expires Sunday evening.

“Read the daily avalanche forecasts for more details about conditions specific to each zone,” the center said.