Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very large and destructive avalanches may release from the upper mountain over the weekend due to the warm and wet weather.  Give terrain connected to large avalanche paths a wide berth.  Stay off very steep slopes at all elevations where you find wet punchy snow, especially near terrain traps. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    It's a mixed bag of wet snow avalanche concerns for Saturday with wet slab, wet loose, glide avalanches and cornice fall all on the menu.  As water works it's way into the previously dry snowpack at upper elevations, larger and more destructive wet slab avalanches may occur.  These avalanches are unpredictable and may run long distances. It's better to just put space between you and where large avalanches can start, run or stop.   

    Where you you find wet and sticky snow, you may trigger wet loose avalanches on nearby slopes steeper than 40 degrees.  Most wet loose avalanches will be small, but some could gouge deeper into the snowpack and become large.  Be mindful of triggering even a small wet loose avalanche near terrain traps like above trees, gullies, and cliffs.  

    (12/26/2022)

    Wet avalanches can be very destructive. Give slopes capable of producing large avalanches a wide buffer. 

    Photo: Crystal Mountain Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Heavy rain and high-elevation snow on Friday night will likely lead to a natural avalanche cycle at upper elevations as rain falls on a previously dry snowpack. Heavy precipitation may continue during the day on Saturday or precipitation rates may back off.  Either way, the travel advice is the same,  you'll want to avoid exposure to large avalanche paths and that includes lingering in the major canyons at mid-elevations.  

In the last week, we have seen multiple very large avalanches shed off the upper mountain (above NWAC's forecast elevation bands). We're unsure what layers these avalanches failed on, but this extended warm-up with periods of heavy precipitation will continue to test the snowpack. With poor visibility expected, it's essential to know what's above you.  Stick to simple terrain without overhead exposure. You may see little evidence of natural avalanche activity at lower and mid-elevations where wet loose avalanches have already run their course.

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