Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Date:

January 15, 2023

Submitted:

January 15, 2023

Observer:

NWAC Forecaster - Joe Dellaporta

Zone or Region:

Mt Hood

Location:

Mt Hood- Pea Gravel

Recent Avalanches?

Yes

Cracking?

Isolated

Collapsing?

None Experienced

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2WczRa_88Oc

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Obscured

Temperature:

23°F

Wind:

Moderate , SW

New/Recent Snowfall:

HN24: 6 in

Stormy conditions prevailed, with steady snowfall rates (up to 2 inches/hour during morning hours) and moderate southwest winds. Moderate winds actively drifted new snow along the upper ridge. Visibility was poor in the alpine.

New snow and wind were the main story for the Mt Hood region today. At lower elevations, this created a little more than dust on crust. Once above 5500 ft, new snow started piling up and travel conditions improved significantly. By 3 pm, I observed up to 6 inches of snow sitting on the recent rain crust. Below this recent rain crust & wet grains, sits dry snow. I did locate the older layer of buried surface hoar from 1/4 about 27 inches down, however I found this layer rounding and unreactive in ECT's/CT's.

At treeline, the winds really started to ramp up! This drifted new snow into sensitive slabs along the east-side of ridges. These wind-loaded pockets triggered easily and failed on the recent rain crust. Abundant test slope results and shooting cracks were obvious red flags that told me to keep off of steep wind-drifted slopes at these elevations.

Problem	Location	Distribution	Sensitivity	Size	Comments
Wind Slab	N E S W	Isolated Specific Widespread	Unreactive Stubborn Reactive Touchy	D1 D1.5 D2 D2.5 D3 D3.5 D4 D4.5 D5	Comments: Slabs depths are 6-12 in deep and failing on the 1/14 rain crust. Test slopes failed easily and shooting cracks were abundant on wind-drifted slopes.