Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2019–Feb 9th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Mt Hood.

New snow and wind will create dangerous avalanche conditions Saturday. You can trigger an avalanche on any steep wind loaded slope. Increasing easterly winds will load unusual aspects and build wind slabs on open slopes below treeline as well as higher terrain during the day. Storm slabs may form in wind sheltered areas below treeline. 

Discussion

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

After a long stretch of quiet avalanche conditions, the avalanche hazard is expected to deteriorate Friday night and Saturday as new snow and wind affect the Mt. Hood area. Widespread surface hoar was reported below treeline in the Mt. Hood Meadows area Friday.  Storm or wind slabs building on top of weaker snow, whether it's buried surface hoar or near surface facets will be more likely to produce avalanches Saturday.  For areas where the new snow stays unconsolidated, loose dry avalanches will become a problem in steep non-wind affected terrain.  

Snowpack Discussion

Regional Synopsis coming soon. 

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.