Bollettino valanghe

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 2 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Areas lacking a supportable crust will be fodder for wet avalanches that could become large on a steep, open slope. Keep an eye on your travel route and another on the slopes above you. Isolated unstable pockets of wind-drifted snow may linger on upper elevation shaded aspects.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    As the wet avalanche cycle continues, the avalanche size distribution changes. The larger, less predictable, and scarier type of wet loose slide should be your focus after several nights without a good refreeze. These avalanches occur in more isolated areas. You will primarily see them release naturally near and below cliffs on E-S-W aspects, but they start to entrain onto N aspects if the snow becomes heavy and wet. With 1-2 ft of snow above the 3/21 crust to potentially entrain, these avalanches could be large. Travel early and reduce your exposure to larger terrain features once the crusts break down.

    Some aspects are further along in their spring transition and are trending toward homogeneity. In these areas, you may trigger the smaller and more predictable wet loose avalanches once the surface crust softens and the wet snow becomes deeper than your ankle. When you find wet, saturated snow, head to more shaded aspects or lower-angled slopes. These avalanches are most likely in areas receiving direct sunshine.

    Example: Wet loose avalanche entraining moist or saturated snow.

    Photo: Koby Yudkin

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: NWAC is saddened to report an avalanche fatality as a result of a cornice fall on Mount St. Helens. On Friday, March 29, 2024, a snowboarder summited the peak. While standing near the top, he triggered a cornice and fell into the crater triggering a large slab avalanche on the slope below. NWAC is working with Skamania Co Sheriff’s office and SAR to compile a report. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community 

Discussion:

NWAC and Mt Hood Meadows professionals reported heavy, manky snow as strong winds and rapid warming impacted Mt Hood Sunday night. We expect that upper elevations now have moist snow on most aspects, although dry snow and older wind slabs could still linger on steep, shaded northerly aspects above around 7000 ft.

Tuesday will be the warmest day of a mild stretch with freezing levels lingering around Mt Hood's summit elevation. Surficial crusts may only briefly provide security from wet avalanche activity. The longer we are into a wet avalanche cycle, the more uncertainty exists. It's a good time to practice route plans that avoid exposure to large open slopes while the snow is melting.

Over the weekend, observers generally reported wet snow and a few small wet loose avalanches below 7000 ft. Once above this, backcountry travelers reported dry, wind-affected surfaces. One observer on Sunday, traveling on the Reid Glacier reported a natural widely propagating avalanche on a west aspect at 8800 ft. This avalanche was likely 1-2 days old. They also reported extreme east winds that moved significant amounts of snow at upper elevations. 

Prepare for rapidly cooling temperatures and stormier conditions that could surprise you if you're out in the backcountry Tuesday night.

 If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

Regioni coperte