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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2016–Nov 27th, 2016

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

Regions

Mt Hood.

Watch mainly for previously formed wind slab layers on Sunday. Be prepared to ratchet back your plans if conditions get stormy again before the end of the daylight hours on Sunday.

Detailed Forecast

A relative short break in the weather should be seen much of Sunday with some light snow showers so conditions shouldn't change too much on Sunday.

There is still a lot of variation in snow cover depending on elevation since it is early in the year. Expect winter conditions at the higher elevations and too little snow for avalanches at the low elevations.

Note that the next system is due to begin to arrive late in the day on Sunday. Be prepared to ratchet back your plans if conditions get stormy again before the end of the daylight hours on Sunday.

 

Snowpack Discussion

There  has been a lot of variation depending on location in weather and snow conditions in the Olympics and Cascades the past couple days.

Snowfall has been moderate at Mt Hood with about 12-18 inches the past 4 days at the NWAC Timberline and Mt Hood Meadows stations. There has been enough southwest winds for some transport to mainly lee north to east slopes.

We have very limited information and no recent reports yet for the season for Mt Hood.

Decreasing south winds and a cooling trend should be seen on Saturday as a weakening front shifts to the east. A few more inches of snow is possible at Mt Hood.

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.