Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Triggering small avalanches in wind-drifted snow will be possible as you climb into windy terrain above 6000 ft. You’re most likely to find unstable slabs in steep leeward terrain or near rocky, craggy areas in the alpine. Use caution in big terrain where a small avalanche could knock you off your feet, and continue to expect icy travel in wind-scoured areas. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A few inches of snow will drift around into thin wind slabs in exposed middle and across upper elevation terrain. While these slabs won’t be that big, they could be reactive to the weight of a backcountry traveler in steep, unsupported terrain. Slabs may form over a variety of surfaces, from slick crusts to old wind-drifted snow and even some isolated faceted snow in north-facing terrain.

     Look and feel for changes in snow surface texture and hardness. You'll find windward slopes scoured to the old icy surface, and leeward slopes drifted in with softer-textured snow. Before climbing or riding in steeper terrain, look for signs of instability using small test slopes and hand pits to see how the new snow is bonding to the old snow surface. Consider avoiding wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees if you notice shooting cracks under your skis or mountain boots. 

    (1/6/2025)

    Look for wind ripples and shooting cracks to help you identify wind drifted snow. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

We have just enough new snow to start building some avalanche hazard in wind-exposed terrain again. While the majority of new slabs will be small, slab reactivity may vary widely from slope to slope as new snow trickles in. Go into the day with an assessment approach and dig around once you see more than a few inches of new snow or thicker drifts. Keep in mind that new snow may shallowly cover up rocks and trees that melted out during the January dry-spell. 

Unfortunately, this likely won't be enough new snow to fully eliminate the long, sliding-fall hazard in steep alpine terrain, particularly in scoured areas. Continue to pack traction and an ice axe if you climb or ride in steeper terrain on Thursday. 

As you’d expect, the snowpack is very aspect-dependent after the January drought. Most aspects that still have snow (E-S-W) have been through a solid melt-freeze cycle for well over two weeks now. In these areas, expect a melt-freeze crust that will vary in thickness depending on elevation and aspect. Northerly aspects are still holding areas of dry, faceting snow surfaces in more wind-sheltered areas and firm wind-drifted snow in alpine terrain. Low elevations are in rough shape, but also have more widespread weak surfaces due to temperature inversions. 

If you head out in the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

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