Bulletin d’avalanche

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Wed
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
3 · Marqué
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 6 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

As we transition out of an impressive multi-day storm cycle give the upper mountain snowpack another day to settle and avoid lingering in the runout of large avalanche paths.  A sharp cool down Monday night along with strong winds and new snow will form new wind slabs on lee slopes.  Avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees where you find evidence of freshly drifted snow.   

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1–2

    During this storm cycle that featured several inches of rain at lower and mid-elevations and rain and snow at upper elevations, we've been talking about the potential for very large avalanches (powerful enough to destroy a car or wood-framed house) that can start in the alpine and run several thousand feet.  Strong cooling will help lower this potential on Tuesday but increase your margin of safety and allow the snowpack to stabilize by staying out of large avalanche paths that originate in the above treeline or alpine.   

    Up to a foot of new snow will be blown around by strong west winds Monday night and Tuesday, creating fresh wind slabs on lees slopes.  Winds are forecast to be out of the NW above treeline, a direction that can sometimes cause unusual loading patterns. Keep your guard up and feel for firmer or hollow sounding snow as you change aspect and elevation.  Travel safely by sticking to ridgelines, wind-scoured aspects and lower angle terrain.

    (12/18/2020) The debris pile of a large (D2.5) natural avalanche that occurred Thursday night at Mt Hood Meadows in closed and uncontrolled NE facing terrain. The avalanche initiated around 6600' on the rain crust formed 12/9.

Avalanche Discussion

Debris from a large to very large avalanche was observed at 7000' Monday, but other details were hard to come by due to the poor weather and visibility.  Professionals reported water had penetrated down 3 ft (1m) in the snowpack at 6600' following several days of rain and above freezing temperatues.  At lower elevations and along wind stripped ridgelines, expect early season conditions to crop up following this wet and mild stretch.  Take care to avoid exposed rocks, stumps and open creeks. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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