Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wind slabs will build at all elevations, but they will grow larger and easier to trigger as you ascend. Check for actively blowing snow and other indicators of recent wind transport to help identify suspect terrain features as winds shift during the storm. Navigate around steep wind-loaded slopes and terrain rollovers anywhere you suspect 6" of snow lies above a crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind slabs building on top of textured snow surfaces and will become easier to trigger as the day progresses and as you ascend in the terrain. Depending upon how much snow falls Friday night, you might start the day with lower hazard. As snow falls and transports onto lee slopes, take note of actively blowing snow. Also, identify signs of Friday night's wind drifts and the pattern of recently scoured snow around rocks. Use these pieces of information to navigate around wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees where you anticipate 6" or more of snow lies above a crust.

    Example: Blowing snow deposits below ridgelines forming wind slabs. Photo: Shane Robinson

Avalanche Discussion

A closed low churning off the PNW coastline has been slow to deliver much precipitation to Mt. Hood. Weather models don't resolve convection as well and tend to exhibit greater inaccuracy as we head into the spring months.  We expect Mt. Hood to pick up 6-8" of snow Friday night through Saturday as the associated trough moves across the region and moderate winds shift more westerly. The snow should initially bond well to the underlying wind-scoured and sun-roughened surfaces. However, as wind slabs grow larger, slopes will become increasingly unstable. Given the uncertainty in precipitation amounts, if you find more/less snow than forecast, expect the danger in your area to be higher/lower.

Mt. Hood picked up an inch of snow late Thursday which was blown by moderate winds into isolated 4" drifts that were well bonded to the underlying crusts. The new snow was not enough to pose any avalanche risk. The new snow sits above a melt-freeze crust up to 1 cm thick. Light snow recommenced Friday afternoon.

The last major storm event ended on February 27th. Drier conditions interspersed with light snowfall events through the beginning of March.  In the upper snowpack, you can still find a distinct freezing rain crust buried on 2/22.  This layer was the most recent interface for larger avalanche activity in the Mt Hood area towards the end of February and the first few days of March.  

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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