Boletín de aludes

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Sun
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
2 · Moderado
Bajo el límite
2 · Moderado
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 3 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Don't let a breakable crust fool you at lower and mid-elevations, there's plenty of moist snow underneath that can be entrained in a wet loose avalanche.  Until conditions cool, avoid very steep slopes above terrain traps.  Factor in extra caution at upper elevations where we have higher uncertainty following a multi-day storm cycle. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Temperatures will stay mild Friday night before cooling during the day on Saturday.  There's an exception below 5000' where low-level east flow will maintain colder temperatures. The sweet spot for wet loose avalanches will likely be above the inversion (upper portion of lower elevation band and mid-elevations) where the surface crust is breakable (or non-existent) and recent storm snow is moist and less wind affected. 

    You're unlikely to see many natural wet loose avalanches but if you get one going there's plenty of moist snow underneath to entrain.  Where you find deep and heavy snow, stay safe by avoiding very steep slopes where you could get pushed into a terrain trap like trees, gullies, or over cliffs. 

    Even a small wet loose avalanche could do damage when paired with a terrain trap. 

    Photo: Mt Hood Meadows Patrol (4/11/23)

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Given the warm ending to the storm cycle,  recently formed slabs should be healing and less likely to trigger.  That said, we have a fair amount of uncertainty about how all of this snow stacked up at upper elevations, and a healthy dose of humility and caution is warranted before committing to steep open slopes.  If you see signs of instability like cracking in firmer wind-pressed snow or see signs of recent avalanches, avoid nearby steep slopes. 

    The freezing rain crust likely peters out above 6500'.  With winds picking up Saturday, you may find fresh and shallow winds slabs forming below ridgelines before the end of the day.  Keep an eye on how much and where snow is being transported as you move higher on the mountain. 

    Look for signs of loading such as textured surfaces or sharp looking cornices, often point in the direction of a wind loaded aspect.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The tail end of the storm cycle featured rising temperatures and multiple freezing levels that varied across the mountain.  The big picture is the mountain received over 5" of water since 1/16.  This has translated into several feet of snow along with the occasional bout of rain to mid-mountain.  The storm ended with a 1/2" thick freezing rain crust up to 6600' that travelers described on Friday as breakable and treacherous. Drier snow could be found at upper elevations. 

Wet loose avalanches were easy to trigger at mid-elevations on Friday were the new crust was break-able.  While the slides were generally small, they quickly entrained moist snow underneath and could pose a hazard in the wrong terrain.  The biggest news of the day was from earlier in the storm cycle.  Visual evidence of a D4(!!!) avalanche was visible in Clark Canyon (see photos below).  The slide likely ran several thousand feet from Wy'East face during a period of intense precipitation and extreme winds Wednesday afternoon or evening. 

NWAC staff were out in the snow Friday around 5000'.  They found a deep and stable snowpack with a few layers worth tracking while we look ahead.  After a slim and disappointing snowpack to start the season and 2024,  we've recovered nicely with over 2m (6') at this elevation. 

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