Not a whole lot on the horizon weather wise after some showers today. The weekend still looks dry with seasonal temperatures, nothing to write home about in our neck of the woods, for sure.
For those venturing up into the mountains be sure and always check the avalanche conditions if you leave controlled ski areas. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is very popular but this time of the year — with a swing in freezing levels and on-again, off-again precipitation — can make backcountry travel very hazardous.
Last February in our state four people died because of avalanches. On Feb. 19, 2012 there were three major ones. An avalanche near Tunnel Creek outside Stevens Pass killed three backcountry skiers. Another avalanche near Alpental Ski Area killed a snowboarder. If heading out check the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center.
I mentioned earlier that a few forecast models were hinting at colder weather the last half of the month. They have now come around to milder conditions. So the chances of an arctic blast is just about gone, making this the second winter in a row without the deep freeze.
