Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Mt Hood.
Loose wet avalanches are unlikely but still possible in isolated terrain features, especially on steeper solar slopes above treeline that have not already released.
Detailed Forecast
An approaching frontal system should cause a general increase in clouds and winds throughout the day, but significant precipitation is unlikely until Friday night for the Mt. Hood area.Â
Loose wet avalanches are unlikely but still possible in isolated terrain features, especially on steeper solar slopes above treeline that have not already released.Â
Less recent snow and ample terrain anchors should greatly limit the avalanche danger near and below treeline.Â
Due to the low snowpack, especially below treeline, watch for terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation. Many areas below treeline do not have enough snow to cause an avalanche danger.
Snowpack Discussion
The latest installment of warm and dry weather occurred from early March through midweek leading to more snowpack consolidation and a scarcity of avalanche activity.Â
Last weekend, an atmospheric river brought a one-two punch to the Pacific Northwest. Saturday's event brought over 2 inches of rain with the snow line above 7000 feet at Mt. Hood. On Sunday, a low pressure system brought light amounts of precipitation with a snow line of 6500-7000 feet on Mt. Hood. Significant new snowfall likely accumulated on the upper volcano Saturday above the NWAC forecast area.
A weak front then caused about 1-3 inches of new snow above about 5-6000 feet in the south Cascades and Mt Hood on Tuesday.Â
The mid and lower snowpack at Mt Hood consists of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this winter. The snowpack at low elevations remains meager to non-existent.
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: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 1