Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

0730 AM update: Upper-elevation danger increased to moderate due to new snow amounts.

You can trigger a small avalanche on steep lee slopes where winds have drifted the snow 6" or deeper. On scoured slopes, consider the risk of a long, uncontrolled fall due to firm ice. Make sure that you have sharps and know how to use them if you travel on even moderately steep terrain.   

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    By Friday morning, 3-4" of snow had accumulated on the slick 4/4  crust.  Webcams showed drifted snow from Thursday night's winds down to 6500 ft, forming shallow slabs that you can trigger fairly easily. These winds are expected to pick up again during the day on Friday, increasing the size and extent of these pockety slabs. Cracking within wind-stiffened snow can alert you to the problem, and simple hand shears can tell you whether the snow will likely release on the crust. Active or recent signs of blowing snow can also alert you that you're entering terrain where you might find shallow wind slabs. You can probe the new snow to determine whether drifts may be forming 6" or deeper, at this point, these wind slabs may be large enough to harm you in specific areas. Areas of concern include the lee of ridgelines and extreme terrain features where a small avalanche could push you over a cliff or into unfriendly terrain.  You will find a slick crust on windward slopes stripped of new snow. Ensure you have the tools to arrest a fall before crossing steep icy slopes. 

    Example: Iisolated, reactive pockets of wind-drifted snow above treeline.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

On Thursday, NWAC forecaster Joe Dellaporta was in the Tilly Jane area with Intern Observer Koby Yudkin. They encountered an inch of snow atop a firm crust that became even slicker and more dangerous in upper-elevation areas near their 7000 ft high point. They were surprised by the lack of wind and didn't observe any wind slabs.

A quick-moving front brought strong ridgeline and extreme alpine W-SW winds Tuesday night and Wednesday, as well as plummeting temperatures. Unfortunately, only an inch or two of new snow fell during this period, and the wet, manky snow absorbed that snow before it refroze into a stout, very slick, knife-hard crust throughout the landscape. On Wednesday, Mt Hood Meadows pro-patrol observed firm conditions all day at mid and upper elevations, with softening surfaces confined to open slopes below 5500' and no new avalanche activity.

We aren't concerned about any layers below the latest surface crust as the snowpack continues to transition during the springtime.  Be prepared for spring-time travel and the associated challenges as the snow melts back on certain aspects and at lower elevations. 

 If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

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