Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warming temperatures and partial sunshine will destabilize previously dry snow in less wind-affected areas. Plan your tours to accommodate the solar clock, pivoting to cooler, shadier, and lower angle aspects as rollerball activity starts up. In steep, wind-loaded start zones you can still trigger a stubborn wind slab that may be large.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Although clouds will be banked up against the west slopes of the mountain, we expect the sun to make an appearance in most locations. The sunshine didn't impact the 8-10" of snow that fell Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. The recent snow remains primed to destabilize when direct sunshine impacts less wind-affected slopes. Snow shedding off rocks, trees, and cliffs will produce small natural avalanches that could become large on a sufficiently sustained slope. Pay attention to your overhead exposure and to slopes 35 degrees and steeper as the sun moves around the dial. Transition to cooler, shaded aspects. On northerly aspects, lower elevation slopes may warm enough that you can trigger an avalanche in consolidating, moistening snow. If you find this occurring, dial back your slope angle.

    Example: (3/23/2021) Numerous natural loose wet avalanches like these were witnessed at Snoqualmie Pass. SE 5000. Snow Lake Divide.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Predominantly westerly winds sustained up to 45 mph Wednesday through early Thursday built stubborn hard slabs that you can still trigger. These slabs are more likely to be large on leeward N-E-S aspects. Pillow-like drifts, fresh cornices, and stiff or textured snow remind you that you could trigger a wind slab in your terrain.  If you observe these signs, continue to steer around start zones and slopes over 35 degrees and give the milder weather another day to help these slabs heal.

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

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday afternoon through Thursday brought 8-10" of snow with strong sustained W winds and extreme gusts Sunday night. Mt. Hood meadows triggered a handful of wind slabs, up to size 1.5 or 2 (large).  This new snow and wind slab sits on a thin melt-freeze crust (2/24) that likely formed on aspects receiving sunshine. Sunday night and Monday brought significant new snow accumulation to Mt. Hood (12-18" at ski area bases). The weekend's snow sits above another melt-freeze crust formed during warm and sunny weather last week.

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.

Regions covered