Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The snowpack is generally stable for now, but very strong winds and increasing cloud cover will make for challenging travel above treeline. Still use caution in steep alpine terrain where you find evidence of wind-loaded snow. Avalanche danger will rise Saturday night as heavy snowfall begins.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Lingering wind slabs formed earlier in the week are shallow and stubborn to triggers. Continue to look and feel for hollow-sounding snow and firm drifts before committing to steeper terrain at upper elevations. Warming temperatures over the next 24hrs may limit the amount of dry surface snow available for transport. Wind loading should be minor even with strong SW winds and increasing clouds throughout the day. We don't expect fresh wind slab development until precipitation arrives Saturday night. 

    (3/10/2022)

    Shallow wind slabs high in the alpine.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Saturday will be a transitionary day weather-wise, and avalanches will be unlikely. Expect a big change by Sunday with cooling temperatures, several inches of new snow, and a significant uptick in avalanche danger. Active weather looks to continue for the next several days.

Conditions have been very windy on the upper mountain the past 2 days with variable travel conditions in all elevation bands. The 4-8in of snow from the most recent storm (3/8 - 3/9) is settling and stabilizing. Snow surfaces above treeline are heavily wind affected with patches of rime ice and firm, grabby wind slab. Observations from Illumination Saddle on Thursday showed a variety of hazards on the upper mountain and several avalanches from the recent storm. Most avalanches likely occurred on 3/8 and were primarily small loose dry sluffs. A handful of shallow wind slabs also ran during this time, and an impressive glide-like avalanche released from the Hot Rocks above the Zigzag Glacier. Also noteworthy was a large crevasse opening on the White River Glacier.

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