Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Hazard will start out moderate, then increase throughout the day as new snow falls and gets blown around by strengthening wind. Use surface clues to identify exposed slopes suspected of having both old and new wind-deposited snow. If you see recent slab avalanches, long shooting cracks from your equipment, or experience collapsing, find more sheltered, lower angle slopes.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Generally, only older, more stubborn wind slabs will be on the agenda for Friday morning. You can recognize where these might lurk by feeling for noticeably stiffer surfaces in wind-loaded terrain that sound hollow or drum-like. Fresh wind slabs will form as the day progresses. These slabs will be softer and smaller, but more sensitive. At middle elevations, they could form on slick crusts created by previous warming. Actively blowing snow will be your best clue to identifying where new slabs are forming. Textured snow surfaces, cornice development, and scoured surfaces on the side of slopes facing the wind can also clue you in to where both new and old slabs might be. Wind slabs generally form just below ridgelines and along gully walls, often referred to as cross loading. 

    (12/18/2025)

    A small intentionally triggered wind slab from last week in the zone. This terrain has the kind of exposure needed for wind slabs to form.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Mt. Hood will get a solid cooling trend going into the weekend, ensuring all precipitation falls as snow (yay!). The volcano previously experienced some rain and warming. We don't have great information on the extent of warming around the mountain, but one observer noted rain up to 6600 ft on Thursday. Due to this uncertainty, it'll be worth your time to dig quick hand pits as you ascend to check the bond between old surfaces and new snow. If old surfaces had a chance to refreeze before burial, they could serve as prime sliding surfaces. 

The zone also previously experienced wind from various directions. Most notably, it came from the east for a time, which is considered abnormal. When searching for evidence of older wind slabs, take a look at slopes that don't typically get wind-loaded too, so you're not caught off guard if you choose to descend on of them.

With the potential for slick crusts, consider the possibility of falling and sliding downhill. An uncontrolled fall can turn disastrous very quickly. It might behoove you to carry self-arresting equipment as you travel around on Friday.

The snowpack has finally built up enough for ski resorts to open and backcountry travel to expand. Nonetheless, come with an early-season mindset. The chance of hitting a rock, stump, or an open creek is still high in lower and middle elevation terrain and on higher elevation aspects stripped of snow. These hazards can appreciably increase the consequences of getting caught in even a small avalanche.

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