Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Mt Hood.
Moderate to strong W-SW winds will transport new snow onto lee slopes near and above treeline Saturday. New snow is generally expected to bond well to moist snow surfaces and various crusts, but wind-driven snow will likely build unstable wind slab on lee aspects above treeline. The avalanche danger will increase rapidly Saturday night as snowfall increases along with a slow warming trend.
Detailed Forecast
Increasing moderate to heavy rain and snow is expected with a warming trend Saturday night through Sunday. With the snow level expected to rise to near 8000 feet by early Sunday, a significant increase in avalanche danger is expected overnight with natural avalanches becoming likely. If a natural avalanche cycle occurs overnight, this should locally lower the danger during the day Sunday, at least in those areas that experienced avalanches. The main question is about the rate and timing of warming. If the warming is not as great as expected or delayed, a very heightened avalanche danger should persist into Sunday.
On slopes that have not released due to warming and additional load, natural or triggered avalanches should be increasingly likely Sunday. Â
Strong W-SW winds will transport new snow onto lee slopes near and above treeline where wind-driven snow may build unstable wind slab on lee aspects.Â
Wet loose avalanches will be a concern on steeper slopes at lower elevations.
Avoid cornices along ridges and slopes below cornices since cornices may still be weaker due to the warm weather.
Snowpack Discussion
Weather and Snowpack
The warmest weather of the winter occurred this past Sunday through Wednesday with extended temperatures climbing into the 50's, with some excursions into the 60's!  A warm front brought periods of rain to the Mt Hood area Thursday night through mid-day Friday, with snow levels falling to 5500 ft after the frontal passage Friday afternoon. Further cool showers Saturday has combined to deposit storm snow amounts ranging from about 4-8 inches as of Saturday evening.Â
The warm temperatures and solar effects earlier in the week caused loose wet avalanches and overall snowpack consolidation while recent rainfall has kept the upper snowpack moist in many areas.Â
Recent Observations
Limited loose wet snow conditions were seen by Tuesday at Mt Hood by the pro-patrol. Moderate winds limited surface snow melt near and above treeline. More significant wet snow conditions were seen below treeline Tuesday through Friday.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
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.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..
Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.
Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1
Storm Slabs
Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. 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.
You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.
Storm slabs usually stabilize within a few days, and release at or below the trigger point. They exist throughout the terrain, and can be avoided by waiting for the storm snow to stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1
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.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1