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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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Falling temperatures and shifting winds during the day should start to move new and recent snow around near and especially above treeline.  Especially later in the day, treat all steep slopes at upper elevations as suspect for shallow new wind slabs.  Wind slabs will continue to build Saturday night as E-NE winds crank. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We have limited information about the distribution and depth of wind slabs that may have formed Thursday night and Friday on the mountain.  A round of fresh and light snow on Saturday in addition to shifting winds should have you thinking about fresh wind slabs building on new aspects below ridgelines or cross-loading slopes.  Before committing to steep open slopes, you'll need to assess both new and recent wind-loading patterns for yourself as you gain elevation and change aspects on Saturday. 

    Recent snowfall was likely heavier on the western side of the mountain Thursday night/Friday morning along with strong/extreme winds.  At higher elevations, older wind slabs may be stubborn to trigger but much larger and more powerful than you'd find in other areas or mid-elevations.  

    (1/17/2023)

    Shooting cracks - a red flag that should not be ignored.  Avoid wind loaded slopes if you notice signs like this. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

A few inches of snow were noted at area weather stations Thursday night and Friday morning along with strong to extreme NW-N winds.  The western side of the mountain picked up much more precipitation but at least at our weather stations, it didn't translate into vastly different amounts likely due to varying snow levels, precipitation types and strong winds. We'll do it again on Saturday but this time with less wind (at least initially) and lower density and fluffier snow.  This new snow will fall on a patchwork of surfaces. In the alpine, new snow will fall on a variety of slick crusts,  firm wind-board, and sastrugi. At mid and lower elevations, snow will fall on a thin breakable melt-freeze crust or moist snow. The question mark will be how this new snow bonds to the old snow surface. 

If you get out into the new snow, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation!

 

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