Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Strong winds will load the same lee slopes through Thursday.  Continue to avoid wind-loaded terrain capable of producing large slab avalanches.  If you find punchy wet snow at lower elevations,  make sure to avoid very steep slopes near cliffs, creek holes, and other terrain traps.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Moderate to strong SW ridgeline winds and strong to extreme alpine winds will continue loading lee slopes through Thursday.  1-2' of storm snow has accumulated over the last 2 days.  Drifts may now be several feet deep above the 3/22 crust.  Continue to avoid traveling on or below open wind-loaded slopes at upper elevations capable of producing large avalanches.  Also at higher elevations, natural avalanches are not out of the question as winds continue to load the same paths. Blowing snow will reduce visibility at times, so make sure you know safe travel routes above treeline.   

    Cracking in the new snow, blowing snow, sharp cornices, and wind-sculpted features are all indicators that you may trigger a wind slab avalanche on nearby slopes at any elevation. 

    In more wind-sheltered areas, you could trigger a shallow storm slab within recent storm layers.  Use caution around very steep unsupported slopes and convex rollovers even in wind-sheltered terrain to avoid triggering a storm slab avalanche. 

    (3/26/2024)

    You can use small test slopes like this to help you gauge the sensitivity of wind-drifted snow. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Loose Wet

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

    It's spring-time so even on a cool, windy, showery day we can't ignore the potential effects of daytime warming and occasional sunbreaks in-between showers.  Conditions can change rapidly in the spring; slopes that are cold and stable in the morning may be wet and heavy in the afternoon.  Natural wet loose avalanches may occur on steep slopes below rocky terrain during sunbreaks. 

    If you see signs of pinwheels, rollerballs or natural wet loose avalanches, avoid very steep terrain features and pivot to cooler slopes and simpler terrain.  Most avalanches will be small, but you don't want to get flushed into a creek hole or through rocks or dense trees. 

    Wet loose avalanches may run further and grow larger than you expect above 5000' where the snowfall from the last few days sits over a firm crust. 

    (3/26/2024)

    Look for rollerballs as a sign of increasing wet loose avalanche potential on steep sunny slopes. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday was a stormy day at Mt Hood with few direct snowpack observations.  Weather stations showed 8" of new snow at mid-elevations and strong winds out of the W-SW.  Mt Hood Meadows patrol reported that snow became wet at lower elevations as temperatures pushed near or above freezing. 

Blowing snow formed fresh wind slab at middle and upper elevations on Tuesday.  Professionals generally found wind slabs were 6-12" deep and stubborn to trigger.  Small wet loose avalanches and rollerballs were observed at lower elevations.   The Timberline and west-side of the mountain received more snow than the Meadows side of the mountain over the last 2 days.  Above 5000ft, the new and recent snow is building over a firm and slick crust (3/22).  This may make for an excellent bed surface for avalanches to run on as we continue our mid-week storm cycle.  

While the new snow will help improve travel, snow surfaces at lower elevations, forested terrain and steep south and west aspects are in rough shape following the warm-up.  Even with a few inches of new snow, be aware of late-season travel challenges and hazards.

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