Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 31st, 2018–Jan 1st, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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.

Happy New Year! New Year's Day proves to be glorious sunshine but watch for recently formed wind slabs at higher elevations, especially near ridges. These wind slabs are healing but it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on steeper wind-loaded slopes. Wind slabs at lower elevations will be harder to trigger but still possible on the right steep open slope or in a recently cross-loaded gully.

Discussion

Avalanche and Snowpack Discussion

Following rain and freezing rain Saturday, 10-12 inches of snow accumulated Saturday night and Sunday with strong west to northwest winds slowly easing during the day on Sunday. Mt. Hood Pro-patrol found fresh but stubborn wind slabs up to 2' deep near treeline. More importantly, wind slabs had developed on unusual aspects, cross-loaded slopes and formed on open slopes below treeline. Winds had scoured ridges to the most recent firm icy crust in many areas. We have no recent observations from above treeline due to the recent stormy conditions.

Snowpack Discussion

Updated Regional Synopsis coming soon

Problems

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.