Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Another windy storm will add shallow fresh snow to older slabs. Expect that firm snow or ice will transition to punchy slabs that you can trigger on steep lee slopes at upper elevations. As temperatures heat up, expect shallow loose wet avalanches within recent dry snow on steep slopes receiving sunshine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate to strong winds have been redistributing snow since started falling early in the week. This has formed stubborn slabs that you can still trigger above treeline. A fresh inch or two of snow with more strong winds Friday night will create shallow, fresh slabs on top. Anticipate the transition from firm snow and ice to wind deposits that may be unstable as you drop into a canyon from above or to the lee side of a ridgeline.  As you climb in elevation, feel for wind-stiffened or hollow-sounding snow to help you identify which steep lee slopes to steer around. Anticipate that deposits may be well below the ridgeline given the strength of the winds, so be especially cautious if you see textured snow on an unsupported slope.

    (1/31/2022) Westerly winds blowing snow at ridgetop, scouring down to the hard, icy old snow surface and loading a NE aspect. Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Rapidly warming temperatures, sunshine, and decreasing winds will destabilize a shallow layer of fresh snow that falls Friday night. If more than 2" of unconsolidated dry snow can be found in your terrain, wet loose avalanches may occur as the day wears on. Adjust your aspect as the sun starts taking more direct aim on your slope and before rollerballs start gaining steam. Keep an eye on snowy slopes that may shed naturally as trees and rocks initiate small avalanches on steep slopes above you. These are only likely to be consequential where they involve a terrain trap such as a creek or canyon bottom and in steep/extreme terrain.

    Example: Shallow loose snow running farther than you expect on top of a crust.

    Photo: Sam Luthy

Avalanche Discussion

No slab avalanches have been reported since Wednesday.  Conditions above treeline remained a mix of scoured icy surfaces and chalky wind-pressed snow.  About a foot of snow accumulated above the late January crust earlier this week and winds formed dense wind slabs on higher lee slopes up to 2' thick.  The recent snow bonded well to the underlying crust and were stubborn to trigger. The snow was enough to help improve surface conditions after a long mid-January dry spell.  Winds kept the snow surfaces cool in spite of above freezing temperatures on Thursday.

The north and east sides of the mountain have less snow and consequently lower avalanche danger. See a recent public observation.

Despite the recent snow, slick, icy, and hazardous travel conditions still exist where the old snow surface is exposed. Icy conditions led to numerous falls and multiple rescues on the upper mountain over the past week, and several snowmobilers lost control on the slick surfaces at Skyline and Frog Lake SnoParks with accidents and severe injuries reported. Keep your guard up - snow surfaces are variable out there and can change rapidly with aspect and elevation.  

Regions covered