Avalanche Warning

Kittitas County, WA -01/19/2012 – Due to the continuing amounts of new snow that are being deposited in the backcountry areas of Kittitas County the Northwest Avalanche Center is forecasting that in the next few days we will see some of the most extreme avalanche danger of the winter so far.
The NWAC is predicting the next several days to be the “perfect storm” of backcountry avalanche danger.
Kittitas County Emergency Management and Kittitas County Search and Rescue are strongly suggesting that all back country travel outside of the traditional ski areas and highways by both foot and snow mobile be avoided until the unstable snow conditions subside.
We want all recreationist to enjoy the areas Kittitas County has to offer, but safe winter backcountry travel should be everyone’s number one concern.
Also remember that when you travel outdoors go prepared with survival equipment and leave a travel plan with someone at home.
Thursday and Thursday night:  High avalanche danger above 5000 feet and considerable below slowly decreasing and becoming high above 6000 feet and on lee slopes above 5000 feet and considerable elsewhere.

Snowpack Analysis
Large amounts of gradually increasing density snow now ranging up to about 30 to 50 inches have been deposited over very low density snow received last weekend, with much of this very fragile snow weakly bonded to a variety of older snow surfaces most notably a smooth and relatively hard rain crust but also including some faceted and recycled near surface snow as well as areas of surface hoar. This snowfall has also been combined with strong winds and a slow upward trend in temperatures. which are combining to gradually make the near surface snow more cohesive and more likely to propagate widely.
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 www.nwac.us
Moore/Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Seattle Washington

Cancellations:

AAU Basketball games from Cle Elum to Burbank for Saturday, Jan. 21

Officials stated, “This is the first time in over 30 years of running leagues and tournaments that we had to cancel a full day of an event. We are going to come up with a plan to play the games at a later time.” For more information, contact Paul R. Campbell at 509-952-7264

If you have further cancellations, closures or official public alerts to report, please contact us with our News Tip form.

WHERE’S THE REST OF THE STORY? IT’S IN OUR PRINTED NEWSPAPER ON STANDS, IN STORES AND AT THE NKC TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER AND OFFICE SUPPLY STORE IN DAVIS PLAZA (BEHIND SAFEWAY)-NEW EVERY THURSDAY

Old man winter finally takes off his gloves-Merchant questions closure timings-front page-pic

 Day in the Life-of Cle Elum-Reporters and Readers to serve as historians-page A1

Rules enforced at Crystal Springs to avoid lawsuit-Winter recreationists urged to be good neighbors-page A1

Water rates rise this month-in South Cle Elum-page A1

Mayor Lockett wants to get Roslyn off dead end road-Willing to think outside the box to stimulate economy-page A5

Third Thursday Feature-Unususal winter job…camping out with 250.000 salmon-page B8-photos

Avalanche! The warning cry Search and Rescue readies for every year-page A8

Dream It, Hope It, Cure It-Upper Kittitas County Relay for Life Rally kicks off 2012 campaign to fight cancer-page B1 pic

Regional:

• County burn ban expired Jan. 14-page A2
• County water banking expands opportunities-page A8

Voices:

• Frankly Speaking about Good Foods-A Caring Community … is coming soon – page A4
• Sander seeks County Superior Court Judge seat-page A4

Community:

• Mark your calendar for Feb. 11 return of Oyez Roslyn!-page B1
• Mission banquet dinner planned-page B2
• Volksmarch participants enjoy fun, fitness, fellowship, and food-page B2-photo
• Red Hat Honeys greet 2012 with meeting-page B2-photo
• Recommendations for winter travel-page B3
• Alpine Lakes Trail Riders 2012 plan-page B3
• Public invited to help with County health code revisions-page B3
• Students rally for Caleb Hart, injured in skateboard accident-page B4

Sports & Schools:

• Wrestlers hit the mats, honor seniors-page B6-photos
• Warrior girls fall in tight loss-page B6-photos
• Warrior boys downed by Goldendale Timberwolves-page B7-photo
• Jaguars play tough against Columbia Basin-page B7-photo
• Thorp Faces Older MLCA-page B7-photo
• New leadership for Warrior Booster Club-