There is extremely high avalanche danger this weekend in the Cascade and Olympic mountains, according to the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center.

The warning comes after a heavy late spring snowfall last week combined with this weekend's expected sunshine and warm weather at high elevations. The danger is especially high above the 8,000-foot level on volcanos, according to the center.

The avalanche center said hikers should particularly avoid Mount Hood, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker.

"It is dangerous now, but we expect it to get worse this weekend with the warm temperatures and highest freezing levels since last summer," said Kenny Kramer, avalanche meteorologist.

Two to eight inches of rain has produced at least four to six feet of snow above 8,000 feet. Below the snow line the rain has created saturated and weak snow conditions, said the avalanche center. These conditions resulted in a fatal avalanche last weekend on Mount Rainier.

Nearly a dozen people trekking to the summit of Mount Rainier were hit by an avalanche on the upper slopes of the mountain early Saturday. All except Mark Wedeven of Olympia were pulled from the snow by other climbers. He remains missing and is presumed dead.

"When the danger is this high, we recommend the public stay away from avalanche terrain. There is very little downside to changing your plans, especially when injury or worse is the alternative," said Kramer.

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