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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2015–Apr 2nd, 2015

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

Regions

Mt Hood.

Sunshine and daytime warming may melt and weaken the recent storm snow, especially on solar aspects. Also, watch for weakening cornices and possible wind slabs near ridges. 

Detailed Forecast

Partly cloudy skies with sunny periods, cool temperatures and light winds are expected Thursday. 

In areas that have enough snow cover to provide a bed surface, shallow, loose wet avalanches involving the recent storm snow will be possible with daytime warming. Also, lee easterly aspects may harbor shallow wind slab at higher elevations.  

Cornices won't be listed as an avalanche problem, but be aware of new cornice growth along ridgelines.

Snowpack problems west of the crest should remain in the upper or surface layers. The mid and lower snowpack west of the crest consists of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this season. Many areas at the lowest elevations do not have enough snow to cause an avalanche danger.

Snowpack Discussion

A vigorous front crossed the Northwest Friday night, causing strong west-southwest winds along with some rain and snow. Snow levels lowered enough by Saturday to produce 2-3 inches of snowfall at higher NWAC stations west of the crest, including including at Mt Hood with likely a few more inches at higher elevations.

The Meadows patrol found some isolated shallow wind slab on Saturday on the northeast slopes above 6500 feet. No new avalanche problems were reported during the mostly sunny and mild weather conditions Sunday and Monday. 

Snow levels fell quickly after a front moved through early Tuesday morning. Snow showers Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday have deposited a total of about 6 to 10 inches of snow near and above treeline along with moderate westerly transport winds. Patrol at Mt Hood Meadows Wednesday reported that the storm snow was surprisingly less reactive than anticipated. The storm snow produced some 6-12 inch loose or very soft slab avalanches releases from explosive control with no ski released slides.   

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the 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. 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.

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.