Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2018 10:05AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Northwest Avalanche Center NWAC, Northwest Avalanche Center

No significant avalanche problems are expected Tuesday, however non-avalanche-related hazards exist. Avoid shaded and steep icy slopes where a slip and fall could become very dangerous. Small loose wet avalanches are possible on very steep solar slopes. 

Summary

Detailed Forecast

Fair and mild weather on Tuesday will continue to minimize the avalanche hazard in the Mt. Hood area, and no significant avalanche problems are expected. Firm frozen surface snow will soften on slopes receiving direct sun. Small loose wet avalanches are possible on very steep solar slopes. Shaded slopes will remain frozen and firm.

Several non-avalanche-related hazards exist. Firm surface snow will make travel difficult and potentially dangerous. Avoid steep icy slopes where it will be difficult to stop a fall. 

Use appropriate travel techniques Tuesday to reduce your exposure to non-avalanche hazards.

Snowpack Discussion

Strong firm surface snow exists in the Mt Hood backcountry.  Warm and wet weather the first week of February created a strong and consolidated snowpack. The current snowpack consist of numerous old crusts and very strong refrozen layers.  There are no significant layers of concern at this time.

No avalanches have been observed over the last several days.

Observations

Mt Hood Meadows ski patrol Sunday reported very firm surface snow conditions resulting in no current avalanche problems.

On Friday, NWAC professional observer Laura Green traveled above Timberline Ski Area. Avalanches were not a concern due to the presence of a thick, icy surface crust. The biggest danger was the risk of a fall and slide on steep slopes.  

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing 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.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2018 10:05AM