Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Full sunshine and warm temperatures will drive a round of small human-triggered and natural avalanches on Friday. These avalanches could also be initiated by cornice failures and blocks of snow that shed off steep slopes. You could still trigger a lingering stubborn wind slab, so steer around firm or punchy snow on poorly supported features.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Clouds kept the wet loose mostly at bay on Thursday, but full sunshine on Fridday combined with freezing levels above 7000 ft should destabilize the recent dry snow. We don't expect these to be that widespread since surfaces are variable. The problem is focused on wind-sheltered terrain at middle elevations and upper elevation terrain in the canyons. As the temperatures start to climb and the snow becomes warm and sticky or you start to see rollerballs descending, adjust to cooler aspects and reduce your overhead exposure. These avalanches could run a long distance on the firm underlying crust. 

    (4/3/2025)

    Rollerballs on sun-affected slopes by the afternoon.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1–2

    The good news is that most wind slabs are becoming very stubborn and difficult to trigger. The bad news is that if you trigger one, it could be large and difficult to escape if it is a hard slab. Most areas experienced wind loading through Wednesday. The highest NWAC forecast elevations experienced moderate to strong winds at 9000 ft into early Thursday. Therefore, you can expect steep, poorly supported wind-loaded slopes, particularly at upper elevations, are the areas where you should be more cautious to steer around potential slabs.  Pay attention to snow depth, textures, and stiffness as you change aspects. Northerly winds at upper elevation and stronger W winds at lower elevations have created an atypical distribution of slabs, so take an observation-oriented mindset. Small test slopes or snowpack tests can provide valuable data points and can help you gauge slab reactivity. If you encounter firm or punchy snow layering, you've found a wind slab that might release on a steeper slope.

    Those traveling above NWAC forecast elevations should make their own assessment as conditions may differ from this forecast.

    (4/2/2025)

    Observers in the White River Canyon reported stiff, stubborn wind slabs on leeward features. 

    Photo: Koby Yudkin

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday featured mostly sunny skies above 7000 ft while clouds kept snow surfaces cool at middle elevations on Mt Hood. Winds were light. These next days will feature more spring-like weather with freezing levels increasing each day. Expect some gradually increasing ‘spring shed’ as temperatures warm up. Cornices may weaken, loose avalanches may start peeling off (even on more northerly aspects), and rock/rime may detatch off the upper mountain. 

Mt Hood Meadows reported widespread stubborn 4-8" wind slabs with pockets to 1 ft deep. A snow cat triggered a wind slab at 8500 ft on a NE aspect. The slab didn't propagate far, but was 1-2 ft deep. The slab released several inches above the recent atmospheric crust. The recent snow has bonded well to the crust and this crust has created a "new ground."

An NWAC forecaster traveling up the south side of Mt Hood reported widespread wind-affected snow. The crown of a small avalanche (likely human triggered) was visible above NWAC forecast elevations in the Old Chute. Some rollerballs were also present on steeper S-facing slopes by the afternoon. Crusts on Friday might be thin and limited to steeper S slopes and lower elevations. Wednesday was a windy day around the Mt Hood zone. Backcountry observers reported blowing snow, stubborn-stiff wind slabs, and good travel above 6000 ft. Excellent riding conditions remained on sheltered north-facing aspects within chaulky snow on Thursday.

Let us know what you see by submitting  a public observation here. 

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