Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Mt Hood.
Dangerous avalanche conditions will persist Thursday at higher elevations where large wind slabs formed during the recent storm. Avoid wind loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees. Filtered sunshine and warming temperatures may be enough to develop Loose-Wet avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes. Watch for rollerballs or wet surface snow as signs of potential wet avalanches.
Discussion
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
Thursday’s avalanche forecast is a bit tricky. We expect overcast skies, however, it’s March, and the sun is strong. It won’t take many sun breaks, or thinner clouds to cause conditions to change quickly. Make frequent weather observations, be alert to changes in the weather that differ from the forecast, and be ready to alter your plans if observations don’t line-up with the forecast.
The recent storm hit the Mt Hood area the hardest with the greatest new snow and strongest winds. If traveling to higher elevations, be prepared for wildly varied surface conditions as a result of the strong to extreme winds. Large hard wind slabs may be hard to trigger but would be potentially deadly if triggered from a thinner portion. Best to give the higher terrain additional time to allow these wind slabs to heal.Â
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Snowpack Discussion
March 10, 2019
February started stormy and cold with very active avalanche conditions on persistent weak layers. The month finished with continued cold temperatures but drier weather allowed avalanche activity to taper off. Persistent weak layers that were buried early in the month (Feb 8th) are now unreactive, though you can still find the grains.
Aside from the series of storms in early to mid-February, most regions have measured relatively light snow accumulation in the past 3 weeks. Snow has stayed soft especially on shaded slopes and faceting and surface hoar have been plentiful. While there has been plenty of sunshine since mid-February, very cold temperatures have kept melt-freeze crust to a minimum on sunny slopes.
A natural loose wet avalanche (D1.5) on a southeast aspect of Lichtenberg Mtn at 5,400ft. 3/10/2019. Photo: Josh Hirshberg
Recent Avalanches
Our attention shifted to the upper snowpack. Recent avalanche problems have largely focussed on wind transported snow and weak snow surfaces on both dry, shaded slopes and sun-exposed aspects. In some locations, a weak layer of surface hoar and facets was buried on March 6th. We’ll keep an eye on this interface as we move into the future.
A skier-triggered storm slab avalanche (D1.5) on Shuksan Arm, north aspect, 5200ft. 03/09/19 Adam U Photo.Â
Moving Forward
As we move further into March, there are two points to consider:
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The strength of the March sun: As the sun creeps higher into the sky and the days grow longer, the sun can have a greater impact on the snow surface. When the sun comes out, expect things to change quickly. You may see avalanches conditions change with natural loose avalanches originating from sunny slopes, surface snow becoming thick and heavy, and slabs taking on a moist to wet snow character.
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Weak surfaces: facets and surface hoar have blanketed snow surfaces in many zones. Any significant snowfall will bury well-developed and widespread persistent weak layers. Recently, most storms have not delivered enough precipitation to cause a problem.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme winds during the recent storm reshaped the new snow in many locations and created large wind slabs in higher terrain. Mt Hood Meadows patrol observed a very large recent natural slab avalanche Wednesday that ran more than 1000 vertical ft. While the start zone was well above our forecast terrain, it shows how quickly large wind slabs can form in open terrain.
Steer away from any open slope greater than 35 degrees where you see fresh cornices, drifted snow, or feel firm snow under you. If you find firm wind slabs, give these slopes a wide berth. Hard slabs can lure you on to them before failing, sometimes above your head.
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.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..
Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.
Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1
Loose Wet
March brings with it a strong sun and freezing levels are expected to reach elevations we haven’t seen since January. It won’t take much to get a loose wet avalanche cycle going. If you see new rollerballs, find new fan-shaped avalanches, or experience moist surface snow, loose wet avalanches may occur. With all the new snow, if the slope is big enough, any loose wet may entrain significant new snow and become large. If you see signs of loose wet avalanches, steer away from steep slopes receiving any sunshine.
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.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1