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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 19th, 2016–Jan 20th, 2016

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Mt Hood.

Back country travel is not recommended near and above tree line Wednesday at Mt Hood at least until there is more information. Dangerous avalanche conditions are also expected below treeline Wednesday at least until there is more information.

Detailed Forecast

Light snow showers mainly near and west of the crest should end on Wednesday morning. A short relative break should be seen Wednesday afternoon.

New deep wind slab from the system Tuesday and Tuesday night is likely at Mt Hood on Wednesday. This is most likely on lee north to southeast slopes near and above treeline.

New deep storm slab from the system Tuesday and Tuesday night is also likely at Mt Hood on Wednesday. This should be seen in areas that rapidly accumulated deep new snow.

Back country travel is not recommended near and above tree line Wednesday at Mt Hood at least until there is more information. Dangerous avalanche conditions are also expected below treeline Wednesday at least until there is more information.

Also here is a heads up that a strong wet warm front is headed our way for Thursday.

Snowpack Discussion

A continuous period of active weather for about the past week has brought about 3-4 feet of snow to NWAC stations at Mt Hood. Fluctuating snow levels over this period has occasionally mixed rain up into the near treeline elevation band during this storm cycle.

A very active day on avalanche control was seen at Mt Hood Meadows Friday. The pro patrol reported explosively triggered widespread 1-4 foot slab avalanches on north to east slopes above treeline releasing on a crust from last weekend along with very sensitive ski cutting as well. 

On Saturday, rain moved up to at least 6000 feet by late morning with snow levels lowering by mid-afternoon. Visibility was limited, but Meadows pro patrol found 8-12 inch wet slabs very sensitive to ski cuts on steeper slopes below treeline. Steady winds continued to load lee aspects near and above treeline Saturday. Another 0.50 - 1 inches of water on Sunday brought up to 6 inches of wet snow at Meadows and Timberline.

Limited small wind slab avalanches to 14 inches on northeast slopes above tree line via avalanche control was reported by the Mt Hood Meadows pro patrol so far Tuesday.

A fairly vigorous surface low pressure and frontal system will cross the south Cascades Tuesday and Tuesday night. This should bring strong winds and heavy snow to Mt Hood. A minor drop in snow levels should be seen following this system.

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.