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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2015–Dec 7th, 2015

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

Regions

Mt Hood.

New more reactive wind and storm slab in the alpine should be the focus on Monday at Mt Hood

Detailed Forecast

A warm front on Sunday night will be rapidly followed by another warm front on Monday. Strong southwest to west winds should be seen in the alpine with moderate to heavy rain or snow mainly Sunday night and  again by Monday midday with further warming. Snowfall so far in December by Monday morning at Mt Hood will be in about the 2 foot range.

New more reactive wind and storm slab in the alpine should be the focus on Monday at Mt Hood. Visibility will probably be poor on Monday and careful snow evaluation and cautious route finding should be essential if you venture into the alpine.

With little snow near and below treeline at Mt Hood, wet loose snow avalanches will not be in the forecast. But change your plans if you find wet snow deeper than a few inches or see signs of wet loose activity such as pin wheels or natural wet loose avalanches.

Snowpack Discussion

Weather and Snowpack:

We had a wet and wild November with about 18-22 inches of water at NWAC station at Mt Hood only amounting to about 1-2 feet of snow above 6000 feet. This formed a strong crust in mid November.

Then strong high pressure and sunny weather was seen in late November at Mt Hood.

The weather so far in December has become more active with snowfall at Mt Hood and an overall warming trend. 

Reports:

We don't have much information for Mt Hood yet this season.

The Mt Hood Meadows pro-patrol on Sunday found little on avalanche control. But on a northeast slope at 6600 feet a ski cut gave a sensitive 6-8 inch nearly fully path slab avalanche that released on the mid November crust.

 

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.

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.