Avalanche Forecast
Jan 24th, 2019–Jan 25th, 2019
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Regions: Mt Hood.
The Bottom Line: Large and dangerous wind slabs that formed above treeline Tuesday night and Wednesday continue to gradually stabilize. Continue caution on the upper mountain by avoiding steep wind-loaded terrain and by limiting your exposure to large open avalanche paths that begin higher on the mountain. Increasing potential for loose wet avalanches on steep southerly facing slopes will develop during the warmest part of the day.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
After an initial bout of snow, a strong frontal system pushed heavy rain up to at least 6500-7000 ft Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the Mt. Hood area. Strong west winds also rocked the mountain. On Friday, we will continue to deal with two types of avalanche problems; hard wind slabs above the rain-line in the alpine and loose wet avalanche potential on steep southerly facing slopes.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are the dominant feature at higher elevations. Older, deeper winds slabs still linger from Wednesday’s storm. While they are gaining strength, you are most likely to trigger these larger slabs on very steep slopes, near convex rollovers, or just below cornices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 2
Loose Wet
Warming temperatures and sunshine will increase the odds for loose wet avalanches on Friday. These avalanches are most likely to release from steep, rocky, sunny slopes during the warmest part of the day. Monitor changes in the upper snowpack, looking for natural pinwheels or small loose wet avalanches as clear signs of increasing danger. Avoid terrain traps like gullies where even a small avalanche can bury you.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2