Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 25th, 2019–Jan 26th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Mt Hood.

The Bottom Line: Avalanche danger is slowly easing. Warming temperatures, sun, and uncertainty of the snow layers at upper elevations will maintain heightened conditions. If you are heading to higher slopes, use caution on slopes 35 degrees and steeper.

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

Slide for life conditions are a very real threat on Mt. Hood on Saturday. While temperatures will be quite warm, moderate winds may cool the snow surface enough to keep the 0.5-1” water ice crust frozen in many areas. Bring some form of crampons or ice ax if you plan to travel on Mt. Hood.

Cornices have been growing in the terrain. You are most likely to find them overhanging northerly slopes or on the edge of gully features. Don’t linger below these cornices on Saturday as the sun begins to warm them.

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.