Bollettino valanghe

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

You can trigger large avalanches that break 2-4 ft deep in wind drifted terrain. Fortunately, you can easily avoid this problem by sticking to more sheltered slopes out of the wind zone. As the day heats up, consider moving off steep sunny slopes, especially if you notice rollerballs or wet loose slides. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1.5–2.5

    Snow will continue to drift, which should keep these wind slabs fresh and reactive to a human trigger. High wind speeds are likely pressing these wind drifted pockets into firmer (1F hard) slabs. These hard wind slabs will pack a dangerous punch and could break deeply (2-4 ft) if triggered. The best policy is to give these wind drifted slabs a few days to heal. 

    These wind drifted pockets should be easy to recognize. Look for slopes that appear fat and textured. Oftentimes, these wind slabs will look rounded or pillow-like. You’ll find these slabs lurking on the leeward side of ridges & moraines, under cornices, and under cliffs and rock bands. 

    Fortunately, you can easily reduce your exposure to this problem by sticking to ridges, traveling on scoured surfaces, or better yet seeking more sheltered slopes from the wind that hold low density powder riding. And as always, pump the brakes if you notice shooting cracks or hear snow that sounds hollow like a drum. 

    Rounded pillows of snow and corncies will help you identify slopes of concern.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Once the sun comes out, be on the lookout for wet loose avalanches on sunny aspects. Since the new snow is low density, it won’t take much for this snow to react. These wet loose slides could entrain a bit of snow once they get going, so certainly consider these if you plan on traveling on solar slopes. Rollerballs and pinwheels will be more plentiful as it warms up. Though initially small, wet avalanches could grow in size as the day grows warmer. So consider moving to shaded aspects once you notice these signs. 

     

    (1/27/2023)

    Example of wet loose avalanches. Move to shaded slopes if you notice wet loose slides like this. 

    Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding Truth

Avalanche Discussion

Its been quite the storm for Mt Hood!  So far the Meadows weather station has picked up over 25 inches of new (low density)  snow since the storm has started.  With this, came some avalanche activity. On Saturday, the Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol triggered large avalanches with explosives  (up to D2.5) in wind drifted snow. These avalanches were typically triggered near and above treeline and had crown depths of 2-4 feet deep.

I went out for a short tour Saturday morning in the rain shadowed Tilly Jane area and still managed to find 12-15 inches of new snow sitting on a 3/21 crust. Along the way, I noticed small dry loose avalanches shedding on steep, northerly aspects and active drifting once I hit treeline.  

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting an observation!

 

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