Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may be able to trigger a very isolated slab large enough to take you for a ride in wind-exposed terrain.  Steer around areas where wind-textured snow has piled into drifts deeper than 6". Shallow wet avalanche potential increases as the day heats up, so watch for signs of rollerballs or transitioning surface snow and adjust your aspect.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate winds and strong gusts drifted 1-3" of snow on Wednesday into very isolated 6-12" slabs that are 36-48 hours old by Friday.  These may be quicker to stabilize than typical wind slabs given mild afternoon temperatures on Wednesday. However, they could still be reactive, particularly on cooler, shaded aspects. Pay attention to the depth of recent dry snow above the crust as you enter more wind-exposed terrain. If you find wind-stripped surfaces, expect deposits nearby. If you find deposits deeper than 6" in slightly wind-stiffened snow, you could trigger an avalanche on a steep, unsupported slope. We expect that you will be able to trigger these wind slabs primarily in avalanche start zones, so consider more cautious entries as you descend off of ridgelines into steeper terrain.

    Example: Wind textured snow.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Expect a dry day on Friday with a cold start, but afternoon temperatures should climb above freezing near and below treeline during the mid-day hours. The shallow recent snowfall on Wednesday may spawn a second round of shallow wet loose avalanches. Watch for these on W-S-E aspects, but also creeping onto more northerly aspects below treeline. Given the 1-3" depth of the recent snow on top of the 3/30 crust, these slides should be very small, but could grow large enough to get you into trouble above a terrain trap such as a cliff or a depression in the terrain. Pay attention to changes throughout the day as snow surfaces thaw on sunny slopes, and consider choosing lower angled or shaded terrain if you find the new snow slides easily on the underlying crust.

No new avalanches have been reported since 3/24, and the last wet loose slides in older melt-freeze snow were stubborn to triggers, even on the hottest days. The snowpack endured a beating prior to the recent storm due to warming, rain, and sun. Areas below 5000ft were hit particularly hard, with a 12-18in loss in the overall height of snow. Many exposed ridgelines and southerly slopes melted out, vegetation started to poke through the snowpack below treeline, and creeks opened up. Fortunately, areas near and above treeline have been somewhat resilient, and the snowpack above 6000ft is still 7-10ft deep, consolidated, and strong.

Regions covered