Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Mt Hood.
Be aware of heightened avalanche danger in steeper terrain and near terrain traps relating to wet avalanches.
Detailed Forecast
Cooler temperatures, mostly clouds and a few light showers are expected overnight Tuesday and Wednesday. Only very light amounts of precipitation are expected, if any, and this should not change the overall low danger.
Generally avoid steep slopes, especially near terrain traps where you might be able to push off enough wet snow to start an avalanche large enough to take you for a ride.
Remember, due to the unseasonably low snowpack especially at lower elevations, numerous terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation are widespread. Â
Snowpack Discussion
The most recent significant snow from one week ago was in the 5-6 inch range at Mt Hood. Since then, roughly half an inch to one inch of rain has fallen at NWAC stations on Mt. Hood for the 48 hr period ending 4 am Saturday. Sunday through Tuesday have seen sunny weather and very warm temperatures, well into the 50's!
The Mt Hood Meadows patrol reported crusts and melt forms in the upper pack on Wednesday and Thursday with good stability. Some low density snow from the last storm was transported to N-NE slopes near and above treeline. Over the weekend, Meadows pro-patrol reported a saturated upper snowpack, but little in the way of avalanche action. Â
The lower snow pack at Mt Hood should also predominately consist of crusts and stabilized rounded grain or melt form layers from warm periods so far this winter.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. They generally move slowly, but can contain enough mass to cause significant damage to trees, cars or buildings. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Travel when the snow surface is colder and stronger. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder, shadier slopes once the snow surface turns slushly. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps, cliffs areas and long sustained steep pitches.
Several loose wet avalanches, and lots of pinwheels and roller balls.
Loose wet avalanches occur where water is running through the snowpack, and release at or below the trigger point. Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or tree wells. Exit avalanche terrain when you see pinwheels, roller balls, a slushy surface, or during rain-on-snow events.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 1