Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
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

The risk of triggering a shallow wind slab has become low. You might still find one at upper elevations just in the lee of ridgelines or if you find active snow transport and deposition. Exercise caution in more committing terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You may still be ablre to trigger a small wind slab on shaded upper-elevation slopes where winds deposited snow within the last 48 hours.  Although sheltered areas maintain some soft, dry snow, most of the snowpack has seen some degree of redistribution. Look for firmer over weaker snow layering, punchy snow, or pillow-like drifts overlying the softer snow. Take your time to evaluate and remember that early season hazards will amplify the risk of any avalanche, even a small one that could knock you off your feet in steep terrain.  Use simple hand shears to evaluate wind-loaded test slopes before committing to larger slopes. And steer around areas where you find active snow transport.

     

    Example: Small pockets of reactive wind-drifted snow like you might find on Saturday.

     

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The weather has flipped to sunny and mild on Mt Hood this week! Temperatures rose into the upper 30s at Mt Hood Meadows upper station on Thursday and remained above freezing through Friday. That didn't stop a solid overnight refreeze. An inversion formed at lower elevations on the mountain, but these elevations warmed up Friday afternoon.  The mild, sunny weather has formed crusts on many sun-exposed aspects. Reports from Mt Hood Meadows patrol corroborate Wednesday's observation from Green Apple Creek of a right-side-up snowpack with 3-4" of unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas. Cold, dry snow lingers on shaded slopes, along with sastregi and wind deposition from Tuesday afternoon and moderate winds Thursday night into Friday. This recent round of winds formed the slabs that may remain reactive on Saturday. Tuesday's wind slabs remain featured for reference in the gallery but are unlikely to be reactive moving forward.

We're in a dry pattern for the foreseeable future, but temperatures are warming quickly. Freezing levels may rise to 10,000 ft by Saturday afternoon. While we expect the snowpack has mostly consolidated enough to handle the warm up, keep an eye out for any signs of snow shedding off rocks or cliffs. And stay off steeper terrain if you find melting snow surfaces leading to poorly consolidated slush 6" or deeper.

If you do head above NWAC forecast zones, keep in mind that observations have been limited. Ease into larger objectives slowly and take the time to evaluate the early season snowpack. 

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

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