Avalanche Forecast
Jan 30th, 2019–Jan 31st, 2019
Alpine
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1:
Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Regions: Mt Hood.
The Bottom Line: We are in for another day of sunshine and mild temperatures. The ongoing melt-freeze cycle will continue to keep the snowpack strong and avalanches unlikely. The biggest hazard will be related to difficult travel conditions caused by very firm, icy slopes, or breakable crusts.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
The ongoing melt-freeze cycle should allow for another day of generally safe avalanche conditions. Snow surface conditions should once again soften on steeper sunny slopes during the day. While loose wet avalanche activity should be mostly done with, if you do find wet snow deeper than your ankles or roller ball activity, adjust your aspect to find safer, firmer snow. Elsewhere, hard surface crusts can make for hazardous travel conditions. Use caution when traversing steep slopes of consequence if you encounter very firm and icy surface conditions.
Recent cornices have been evident in the terrain. You are most likely to find them overhanging northerly slopes or on the edge of gully features. Don’t linger below these cornices as the sun begins to warm them.
Thursday is a great day to get out and observe where weak snow has developed on shaded aspects during this recent mild and dry stretch. When the snow returns later this week, you'll have a leg up on which slopes may quickly develop worsening avalanche conditions due to new snow building on top of old weak snow.