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RegisterDec 11th, 2017–Dec 12th, 2017
Mt Hood.
The snowpack is strong and well consolidated after a week of mild dry weather. Watch for wet surface snow conditions on some steep sun exposed slopes, especially below rocks or cliffs and above terrain traps where even small slides could be dangerous.
More of the same conditions are expected Monday. Mostly sunny and warm with light winds at higher elevations and cold and cloudy conditions in the lower passes and some low elevations.
At the higher terrain Sunday, temperatures reached the low-mid 50's with similar conditions expected Monday.
Surface melt-freeze crusts are forming overnight on some solar exposed slopes and softening through the day. Loose wet avalanches are unlikely, but might be encountered in isolated steep solar exposed slopes below rocks or trees absorbing more radiation.
The nice riding and skiing conditions found Sunday should remain on Monday as little change in the snowpack structure is expected.
Early season terrain hazards still exist, such as poorly covered rocks, vegetation and creeks, particularly at lower elevations.
High pressure has now been over the region for a full week. Sunshine and very mild temperatures have been the story with cooler temperatures at lower elevations. This weather has allowed for overall strengthening and consolidation of an already strong snowpack.
No triggered avalanches have been reported over the past five days.
Some small loose wet slides have occurred on mainly steep sun exposed slopes through the week, but have become less frequent over the past several days.
Wind slabs formed a week ago continue to bond and strengthen, but may still persist, mainly above treeline on mostly westerly to northerly facing terrain, especially below ridges. These slabs should be more reluctant to trigger as they continue to bond and strengthen.
The surface snow consists mainly of surface melt freeze crusts forming overnight on solar aspects. On shaded aspects, settled storm snow is still providing some nice skiing and riding conditions.
The total snowpack height in these zones varies mostly from 2-4 feet with the most at higher elevations.
The snowpack is well consolidated and strong with settled old storm snow of about 1-2 feet over the strong Thanksgiving rain crust.
Observations
By Thursday and Friday the Mt Hood Meadows pro-patrol had little to report with just some shedding off rocks and trees in the sun and no other activity and snow consolidating on non-solar slopes.