Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

Strong winds will heavily redistribute low density new snow with a potential poor bond to firm crusts on all aspects. Slabs will increase in size and reactivity throughout the day. Ascend with increasing caution, noting textured snow, cracking surfaces, and the direction of wind deposition and then avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    By the time you head out in the morning, you'll be in the thick of the storm. It'll take a few inches of snow before slabs start forming on exposed lee terrain features at middle and upper elevations. It's a good day to use your pole or probe to check the snow depth above the crust as you travel. Make sure you identify and check small wind loaded test slopes as well for the depth of drifts. Drifts are expected to hit the threshold of 6" for wind slabs during the morning hours, but might take a few hours longer to reach these thresholds as you move into slightly less exposed areas at middle elevations. Anticipate areas where winds drift snow and expect eratic loading patterns given the strength of the winds. Most avalanches will break on the potentially poorly bonded crust (or old snow interface in some areas above 8000 ft) or within the wind-drifted snow.  Note any signs of cracking, textured snow, or cornice formation and manoever away from lee slopes 35 degrees and steeper nearby. 

    Example: Slab failures above a skin track in wind-affected terrain.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

It's easy to get lulled into complacency after a period of quieter weather, but it's necessary to quickly adjust your mindset when there's new snow with plenty of wind on Mt Hood.  

On Thursday, aspects directly in the sun softened 1/2-2", mostly below 6000 ft, treating travelers to some corn. However, it was not enough softening to produce more than a very isolated roller ball. At upper elevations, firm old wind-beaten snow exists on some aspects above 8000 ft.

The anticipated 3-6" of new snow falling during the day on Friday should improve one of the biggest travel hazards of the week - slick surfaces. Long, sliding falls have proven dangerous or even deadly on Mt.Hood over the years. While these conditoins are improving, be aware that the new snow may not bond well to the crusts, so windward slopes may remain slick with no hope to soften. These are the same slopes opposite the wind loaded slopes building slab hazard. That leaves you with the ridgelines as your safest option upon retreat. Mt Hood Meadows Patrol reported particuarly intense firm surfaces above 6000 ft.

Lower elevations are variable. You’ll generally find a mixed bag of rain runnels, crusts, and punchy surfaces.  

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

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