Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You can still trigger a slab 12" or deeper at upper elevations on Wednesday. Probe for a subtle firmer layer above lower density snow and anticipate this layer based upon recent scouring patterns and cornice formation. Navigate around steep slopes with 6" or more of dry snow above the crust.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Wind transport of recent shallow snowfall created 12" slabs that you can trigger. Mt. Hood Meadows pro patrol reported a handful of small and one large avalanche triggered during mitigation on Tuesday morning. Winds were just strong enough to transport low-density snow onto lee slopes through Monday night. This formed a slightly denser soft slab over low-density snow sitting over a crust. Avalanches could be triggered on specific terrain features Tuesday and we think that will be true again on Wednesday, but avalanches may be slightly less easily triggered. Very low wind speeds from Tuesday onwards combined with additional snow accumulation will keep wind-loaded pillows hidden. You will need to probe for firmer over less dense snow layers.  Also, use visual cues such as the pattern of snow around rocks. Steer around slopes 35 degrees and steeper, particularly near convexities and below ridge crests. 

    (3/7/2021) Wind slabs such as these will be hidden under low-density snow on Wednesday. [Photo: John Barkhausen, public observation]

  • Loose Dry

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1

    Incremental additions of snow have been slowly adding up at Mt. Hood. NWAC stations are recording 4-5" of snow since last Friday night. In some areas, this snow has blown slightly deeper but has not formed slabs. The dry loose problem is only a problem in isolated locations such where you find 8" of snow over a crust or where the snow could push you over a cliff. As the snow gets deeper or the consequences of a small avalanche become more significant (such as above rocks, cliffs, or gullies), steer around slopes approaching 40 degrees. Keep in mind that dry loose avalanches may run faster than you expect on the crust.

    Example: Dry Loose avalanches start at a point and fan out as they run downhill. Don't get knocked off your feet or pushed into a terrain trap by one of these when there is so much snow. [Photo: Zack Wentz]

Avalanche Discussion

Pictures from a public observation near Timberline on Sunday show the type of softer slabs that may be common Wednesday. Mt Hood maintains a very spring-like weather pattern that is bringing convective snow showers and occasional sun breaks. This means that snowfall totals may not be uniformly distributed around the mountain. Pay attention to the depth of the snow (slab or loose) that exists over the recent crust and as that snow depth increases dial back your slope angle.

Tuesday stayed cloudy and cool. While we expect the same on Wednesday, sunshine remains a possibility Wednesday morning. Keep an eye on the same dry snow over the crust and if you start seeing rollerball activity, seek colder shaded slopes. Loose wet avalanches will be most common on steep and sun-exposed slopes holding several inches or more of recent snow. As with the dry loose avalanche problem, use caution near terrain traps such as cliffs and creeks, where even a small wet slide may be able to knock you over.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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