Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Heavy snowfall and warming temperatures provide a recipe for human-triggered avalanches on Monday. Perform small slope tests frequently to assess the slab layer. Avoid open slopes steeper and rollovers steeper than 35 degrees to mitigate your risk.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    36 hours of heavy snowfall on Mt. Hood has created dangerous storm slabs you can trigger at elevations. Warming temperatures will exacerbate the problem as the day wears on. A 0.25-0.5" crust layer from 12/18 will be worth assessing as it makes for an efficient interface for slabs to run on. Mid-storm layers could also develop. Monday will be a good day to stick keep your slope angle below 35 degrees. Avoid large open slopes and complex terrain. While most slopes may be capable of producing a large storm slab, the largest may be found in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations.  Such wind-loaded slopes deserve additional caution and a wider safety margin.

    (12/18/2021)

    Example: Classic storm slab avalanche failing on a steep rollover in the terrain. Highway 542 near Mt. Baker Ski area.

    Photo: NWAC Public Obs

Avalanche Discussion

We're in the midst of a multi-day storm at Mt. Hood. In the last 24 hours, Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline picked up 11 and 14" of snow, respectively. Sunday morning, MHM Pro Patrol triggered 4-10" slabs in near treeline terrain and 2-6" slabs lower on the mountain that ran on the 12/18 rain crust.  Additional low-density snow has yet to consolidate. However, we expect that an additional 1-1.5" inches of snow water equivalent, combined with some warming Tuesday afternoon will be sufficient to turn the low-density snow into a cohesive slab you can trigger. Further dial back your terrain selection and recognize that as the slabs increase in size, your risk increases markedly.

You're likely to find snow depths greater than 50 inches by the time you head into the terrain on Monday. Our focus remains above the 12/18 crust and we don't currently have any layers of concern deeper in the snowpack.

While the new snow has been filling in the terrain, early-season obstacles do exist in some areas. Creeks are definitely still open and present travel challenges.

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