Two Snowboarders Have Been Missing Near Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA Since Sunday | 4-Feet of Snow Forecast Next 24 Hours

According to Whatcom Country Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mark Jilk, two snowboarders in their twenties from Bellingham, WA have been missing near Mt. Baker ski area’s Heather Meadows zone since Sunday.

NOAA is forecasting up to 4-feet of snow in the Mt. Baker region in the next 24 hours.  They’ve issued a Winter Storm Warning.

The Whatcom Country Shereiff’s Office explains that the missing snowboarders were reported missing by their roommate when they didn’t return on Sunday night.  The roommate reported that the missing men had planned to spend the day near the upper parking lot of Mt. Baker ski area and come home that same evening.

On early Monday morning, officials located the missing snowboarders’ car in the parking lot of the ski area (Heather Meadows).  Search and rescue crews searched the areas near the parking lot to no avail.  The sheriff’s office experienced heavy snow and high winds during their search on Monday and were unable to locate the missing snowboarders nor any clues as to their whereabouts.

“The areas thought to be most likely to be used by backcountry skiers were checked as safely as possible by searchers with no clues found and no sign of the missing snowboarders.  The weather during the day [Monday] created extremely hazardous conditions, heavy snow and high wind, creating avalanche and visibility concerns.” -Whatcom Country Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mark Jilk

Search and rescue teams called off the search yesterday at 4pm and returned to zone to look for the missing snowboarders today at 9am and they’re experiencing heavy snow and high winds once again.

NOAA has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Mt. Baker region where the two men are missing that is forecasting up to 4′ of snowfall near the Mt. Baker area in the next 24 hours.

 "Heavy snow occurring. Plan on difficult travel
  conditions. Additional snow accumulations through Tuesday
  afternoon around 4 feet at Mount Baker, 2 feet at Mount Rainier,
  and 6 to 12 inches at White Pass." - NOAA Seattle, WA today

Mt. Baker ski area is scheduled to open on Thursday.