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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2017–Mar 1st, 2017

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Mt Hood.

UPDATED - A stronger storm than forecast has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches very likely! Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended Tuesday.

Detailed Forecast

Continued moderate snow showers Tuesday and strong westerly winds will maintain dangerous avalanche conditions. Widespread unstable snow exists within all avalanche terrain in the Mt Hood area. Natural or triggered avalanches are very likely. 

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended Tuesday.

 

 

Snowpack Discussion

...UPDATED 935 AM TUESDAY... HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER. AN AVALANCHE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE MT HOOD AREA. 

Weather and Snowpack

The most recent warm and wet SW storm arrived on Valentines Day 2/14 and formed the uppermost very strong rain crust in our snowpack. 

About 2 feet of snow accumulated at the NWAC Mt Hood stations from Sunday, 2/19 through Wednesday 2/22. 

Weak weather systems Sunday and again Monday, deposited about another foot of low density snow by Monday evening with light to moderate westerly transport winds near and above treeline.    

Recent Observations

A widespread loose dry avalanche cycle was observed by the Meadows pro-patrol in steep terrain up to 8000 feet on Saturday. 

On Sunday, the Meadows pro patrol reported pockets of fresh 12-18" wind slab on NE and E aspects near and above treeline that were easily ski triggered but not running far during avalanche control work.

... updated Tuesday morning 2/28 - Mt Hood pro patrol reported widespread natural and triggered wind and storm slabs Tuesday morning, especially near and above treeline. Avalanches occurring even on relatively low angled terrain. Over 2 feet of new snow has accumulated in the past 24 hours with strong winds near and above treeline, creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended Tuesday.

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.