Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Sunshine and continued warm temperatures will maintain the possibility that you could trigger a wet loose avalanche on sun-exposed slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Use caution on slopes receiving direct sunshine where you find soft, wet snow surfaces. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Fresh snow deposited Sunday and Monday is continuing to stabilize with warm temperatures and sunshine. Wet loose avalanche activity was limited at upper elevations where wind compacted snow was slow to warm and ongoing winds kept the snow surface cool. Lower elevations saw some natural avalanche activity Wednesday which will limit the reactivity of the snow moving forward.  Wet loose avalanches may release naturally below steep rock faces that catch the sun.  If you see pinwheels or rollerballs,  or find yourself sinking into wet surface snow more than ankle-deep,  choose slopes less than 35 degrees or seek shadier terrain. Trees shedding snow or driping water are a clear sign that wet loose avalanches can be triggered.

    (3/27/2021) An example of a classic wet loose avalanche in the Mt. Baker Backcountry. Photo: Zack McGill

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday night's storm brought 6-12" of new snow that is generally well bonded to the melt-freeze crust from the weekend. Very little avalanche activity was observed Monday and Tuesday. The warming cycle of Wednesday and Thursday combined with the cooling trend and increasing clouds of Friday will limit the reactivity of the snow on Friday. Upper elevation winds reached almost 100mph Sunday evening and likely scoured or compacted the snow in many typical start zones.

The wind-compacted snow at upper elevations will be slower to become unstable in the sunshine and is dense enough that it is unlikely to produce a wind slab. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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