Boletín de aludes

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Tue
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
1 · Débil
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 5 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Identify freshly windblown snow at upper elevations and near wind-exposed ridges by its firm or textured appearance and navigate around steep lee slopes where you find wind-blown snow accumulating.

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1

    Steady west winds have formed shallow wind slabs with the new snowfall from the weekend. Expect wind slabs to be small and specific to locations like lee slopes near ridge crests. Where you find small cornices and wind drifted snow, slabs may be easy to trigger. Shooting cracks in the snow are a clear sign that you could trigger a wind slab. Higher elevation slopes and more wind-exposed areas will be the most likely place to find a fresh slab, but wind drifted snow may accumulate in some steep features at lower elevations. Look for actively blowing snow and use surface clues such as firm or textured snow to identify where a wind slab may have formed. If you see these signs navigate around features steeper than 35 degrees that are holding wind drifted snow.

    (3/2/2021) Natural wind slabs at 9000 ft in wind-loaded start zones. Shallow wind slabs will reform in similar locations to these avalanches on lee slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche problems continue to be confined to fresh windblown snow on Monday. Mt Hood is experiencing a very spring-like weather pattern that is bringing convective snow showers and sun breaks. This means that some areas may experience heavy snow showers at times and sun breaks at other times. Areas near Timberline are likely to receive slightly more snow, while areas further east and north are more likely to have sun breaks. Regardless of your location on the mountain, expect small fresh cornices and wind slabs on lee slopes near ridgelines and wind-exposed features--especially at upper elevations. Navigate around these steep start zones to avoid triggering a wind slab.

Much of the loose wet avalanche activity has already occurred after warm and sunny days midweek and reports from Saturday suggest that sun breaks did more to improve travel conditions than to destabilize the surface. Sun breaks are possible again on Monday. While there isn't enough snow to create a loose wet avalanche problem in most locations, you may find that some slopes do have enough recent snow to slide above the melt-freeze crust formed last week. This will be most likely on steep and sun-exposed slopes holding several inches or more of recent snow. Use caution near terrain traps such as cliffs and creeks, where even a small wet slide may be able to knock you over.

Several natural and human-triggered avalanches and a large explosive-triggered avalanche occurred last week.   Some avalanches have released several feet down to a freezing rain crust that formed Monday 2/22 below 7000'.  These larger old wind slabs should have stabilized with the sunshine and warm temps midweek. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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