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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2016–Jan 31st, 2016

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

Regions

Mt Hood.

The greatest avalanche problem should be wind slab on lee slopes near and above treeline mainly NW-N-SE facing slopes below ridges. Watch for signs of firmer wind transported snow.

Detailed Forecast

Light winds and with periods of light snow showers with continued cool temperatures should be seen on Sunday at Mt Hood. A skiers delight! But continue to evaluate snow and terrain carefully on Sunday.

This weather should bring a gradually decreasing avalanche danger on Sunday. Storm layers that may exist above the new crust will slowly settle but could remain reactive to human triggers mainly in the above treeline Sunday. 

The greatest avalanche problem should be wind slab on lee slopes near and above treeline mainly NW-N-SE facing slopes below ridges. Watch for signs of firmer wind transported snow.

Watch for storm slab in areas that had rapidly accumulating snowfall.

Snowpack Discussion

Warm wet weather will have caused increasing wet snow conditions at Mt Hood Wednesday-Thursday.

A strong occluded front with strong winds crossed the Northwest on Friday. NWAC stations at Mt Hood had about a foot of new snow by Saturday morning. Some areas in the Cascades are reporting a strong bond to the new crust and some a poor bond depending on when new snow arrived. However, even where good bonding exists there may be sensitive storm layers within the new snow. These storm layers may make for some sensitive triggered slabs and will take a bit of time to stabilize.

The Mt Hood Meadows pro-patrol today reported mainly 4-8 inch storm slab released by ski cuts in the above tree line.

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.