Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

As the storm cycle rages on, natural and human-triggered avalanches will be too large to manage safely at upper elevations. Steer clear of slopes connected to upper elevation start zones where an avalanche could run to valley flats. Near and below treeline you can trigger a slab on any slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A strong storm with sifting winds will redistribute recent and significant new snowfall to increase the potential for human-triggered and natural avalanches. At upper elevations, these avalanches could become very large and for this reason, we recommend giving all terrain connected to upper elevation start zones a wide margin for safety. Near treeline we expect you can trigger small to large wind slabs. At these elevations, you can travel on slopes less than 35 degrees and windward scoured slopes safely, avoiding the wind-loaded slopes on the leeward side. Cracking, whumphing, or firm punchy layering are all clear signs of instability and reminders to seek lower angle slopes. Actively blowing snow may help you avoid large wind drifts as they form, but remember that as winds shift direction over the next 24 hours, recently wind-loaded slopes will also remain reactive to trigger.

    (3/16/2022)

    Large or even very large avalanches are not out of the question after several days of rapid accumulation and strong winds.

    Photo: MHM Pro Patrol

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The snow keeps piling up at Mt. Hood and snowfall rates Sunday night and Monday should produce instability within the storm snow. As of Sunday afternoon, Mt. Hood has received over 2 ft of storm snow sitting on the 4/8 crust interface. Subtle daytime warming crusts or graupel layers may provide the requisite interfaces for propagation of the slab. With touchy conditions and the potential for large storm slabs, it's worth testing the snow layers down to and including the 4/8 crust. You can also use simple slope tests on micro terrain features to investigate these layers. Give the storm snow the time it needs to settle and avoid all open slopes 35 degrees and steeper.

    You will also have to manage dry loose avalanches if you travel on steep terrain. Even in open glades, a small dry loose avalanche can push you into trees or over a cliff that you hoped to avoid. 

    Example: Storm slab.

    Photo: Public Observation

Avalanche Discussion

After a Spring warmth of Thursday when 5000ft temperatures hit 60F and the strong April sun beat down on Mt Hood, winter conditions have returned to Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood is in the midst of an intense storm cycle with over 2 ft of snow as of Sunday afternoon and counting since 4/8.  As we head deeper into the storm cycles, the size of potential avalanches increases as any avalanche has the potential to entrain more soft, dry snow. At upper elevations, natural avalanches become large enough to threaten lower elevations.  Thus, consider your exposure before traveling across paths connected to higher elevation start zones.

Mt. Hood Meadows Patrol reported several wind slabs (up to size 2, large), and dry loose avalanches in less wind affected terrain on Sunday.

Regions covered