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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2015–Dec 10th, 2015

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Mt Hood.

Mt Hood should get more snow that the Washington Cascades on Thursday. You may find dangerous avalanche conditions in the alpine.

Detailed Forecast

Mt Hood Forecast

An occluded front should move south to north over the Northwest Wednesday night and Thursday. South to southeast alpine winds Thursday morning should generally shift to southwest Thursday by afternoon.At Mt Hood look for moderate to heavy amounts of snow by later Thursday.

Watch likely new wind slab on lee slopes and new storm slab in calmer less exposed areas. Remember that the avalanche danger will be greater if you encounter stronger winds and heavier snowfall. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully Thursday. Change your plans if you find yourself in unexpectedly prolonged stormy weather.

Less snow below tree line should limit the avalanche danger there.

Snowpack Discussion

Mt Hood Weather:

Snowfall at Mt Hood the first 7 days of December was about 1.5-2 feet with an overall warming trend. Then an atmospheric river arrived the past couple days (Main Fork of the Pineapple Express) and heavy rain with about 5-7 inches at NWAC stations in just 2 days ending this morning. Wow!

But snowfall has resumed on Wednesday with a cooling trend. Good news!

Mt Hood Snowpack and Reports:

The Mt Hood Pro Patrol on Wednesday reports a greatly consolidated and stabilized snowpack. Small new wind and soft slab was beginning to form on Wednesday afternoon.

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.