Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Mt Hood.
A strong March sun will make small Loose Wet avalanches possible at all elevations, especially on sun exposed slopes during the warmest part of the day.
Detailed Forecast
The sun will come back out on Saturday along with mild temperatures, making small Loose Wet avalanches possible on some steep slopes facing the sun, especially in the late morning and afternoon hours. The sun will be out for an extended period of time on Saturday and may break down melt-freeze crusts at higher elevations. After several melt-freeze cycles, Loose Wet avalanches problem are getting harder to trigger. Watch for warning signs that indicate increasing hazard like sinking above your ankles in wet soft snow and natural Loose Wet avalanches. Even small Loose Wet avalanches can be dangerous in high consequences such as over cliffs or in tight gullies.
Snowpack Discussion
Reports suggest that mild, cloudy conditions on Friday prevented a strong re-freeze at lower elevations, but winds and clouds likely kept the crust intact at higher elevations.Â
Mild sunny weather on Wednesday and Thursday corresponded with several melt-freeze cycles, which developed for a strong melt-freeze crust to form on all aspects up to at least 7000 ft.
The mild weather has allowed for older Wind Slabs to stabilize. Small Loose Wet avalanches were becoming possible over the past two days, but reports indicate these Loose Wet avalanches were very shallow and isolated to steeper slopes below rocks.Â
There are currently no significant layers of concern in the mid or lower snowpack.
Observations
On Friday, professional reports indicated little to no Loose-Wet avalanche activity and rock outcrops had already shed most of their snow/ice.
On Thursday, professional reports from terrain in and adjacent to Mt Hood Meadows indicate only very shallow Loose-Wet avalanches were seen on specific steep slopes, mainly below rock outcrops. Older Wind Slabs were no longer considered a problem with a strong melt-freeze crust dominating the snow surface with shallow wet surface snow during the afternoon hours. Â
On Wednesday, Mt. Hood Meadows pro-patrol reported crusts extending to 7000 ft in the terrain with Loose Wet conditions developing around mid-day as the crust broke down. Patrol had good visibility onto higher elevation terrain and saw no signs of recent Wind Slab avalanche activity.
On Tuesday, Mt. Hood Meadows pro-patrol reported moderate west winds near and above treeline but limited snow available to form new wind slabs in their area. Warm temperatures and occasional light rain caused small Loose Wet avalanches on all aspects near and below treeline, but especially on southerly aspects. Â
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
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. They generally move slowly, but can contain enough mass to cause significant damage to trees, cars or buildings. 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.
Travel when the snow surface is colder and stronger. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder, shadier slopes once the snow surface turns slushly. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps, cliffs areas and long sustained steep pitches.
Several loose wet avalanches, and lots of pinwheels and roller balls.
Loose wet avalanches occur where water is running through the snowpack, and release at or below the trigger point. Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or tree wells. Exit avalanche terrain when you see pinwheels, roller balls, a slushy surface, or during rain-on-snow events.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1