Lawinenlagebericht

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Firm surfaces will soften as the day progresses, especially steep sunny slopes.  Use caution around cliffy sun-soaked terrain where it should be easier to get wet snow moving downhill.  If you venture into the alpine, be prepared for a variety of snow surfaces, including the firm and icy kind; make sure you have the tools to arrest a slip and fall.   

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    Despite continued mild overnight temperatures, generally clear skies should support a nightly refreeze of the snow surface.  As the sun comes up and the snow surface begins to soften,  start thinking about wet loose avalanches on very steep sunny aspects.  Use caution near sun-soaked cliffs and rock bands, where the snow is receiving additional heating from those terrain features and there's a higher likelihood of triggering a wet loose avalanche.

    Pay attention to the snow surface throughout the day as you change aspects and elevations.  If you're starting to sink in more than a few inches into wet snow, move to a different aspect or to lower angle terrain.  Use extra care near terrain traps, like open creeks,  above trees, and cliffs where even a small slide could easily lead to real damage.   Lower elevations will see cooler temperatures with persistent temperature inversions, lowering the wet loose likelihood. That said, it's a big area and apply the same caution anywhere you find wet, mushy surface snow. 

    (1/13/2026)

    Rollersballs were shedding near rocky terrain in White River Canyon on Tuesday.  Cliffy terrain like this is a common place to see the first signs of warming on warm and clear days.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

What month is it?  Our January mild and dry weather looks to continue for some time with only subtle weather and snowpack changes through next week as freezing levels have settled in ~13,000'.   The snowpack is starting to resemble something you’d see in April rather than January. Many sun-exposed slopes have been exposed to significant sun and warming by this point with sevearl melt-freeze cycles.  Some higher elevation and shady aspects that previously held dry snow have also formed a thin melt-freeze crust.  

With refreezing surfaces leading to a variety of snow surfaces, including the firm icy kind, it's time to think about long, sliding fall hazards on the Cascade volcanoes, particularly during the early morning hours.  Wind scoured areas above treeline with firm icy old snow are prime suspects to tread lightly around. If you head into alpine terrain, be sure to have the proper traction and be ready to self-arrest a fall. 

Before our warm-up, 20-30 inches of snow fell over the stout January 3rd crust.  We saw a few large to very large natural avalanches that likely ran on or above this crust during the stormy period on Jan 6th-8th. Since the storm ended, avalanche activity was mainly confined to wind-drifted terrain. The upper snowpack remains heavily wind-affected. Backcountry travelers are generally finding a strong, well-bonded snowpack to the underlying January 3rd crust.

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