Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2019–Jan 28th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Mt Hood.

The Bottom Line: Firm surface crusts exist on all aspects and elevations after several days of clear very mild weather, limiting the avalanche danger. Another sunny and warm day Monday will compete with increasing easterly winds limiting snowmelt and the Wet-Loose avalanche potential. Watch for deeper melting surface snow on steep sun-facing slopes sheltered from the wind.

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

A nearly 1-inch thick ice crust broke down on Saturday and Sunday with very warm temperatures and sunshine. Hard surface crusts also made for hazardous conditions from uncontrolled falls, especially early in the day. These conditions should continue Monday, especially early in the day before crusts soften.

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 on Monday as the sun begins to warm them.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.