Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop Sunday night and extend through Monday with heavy snow and extreme winds expected.  Natural and human triggered avalanches are very likely.  Stay out and away from any slope where large avalanches can run. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Up to 3 ft of snow Sunday night and Monday along with extreme winds will create deep slabs on lee slopes near and above treeline.  Extreme winds may create chaotic loading patterns and distribute snow well below treeline. With large to very large avalanches very likely on Monday, it's a good day to steer clear of avalanche terrain and let the storm pass.  Whiteout conditions will make travel dangerous above treeline regardless of the avalanche hazard.  Be prepared if you venture out on Monday.  

    As the winds back off during the day Monday and temperatures drop,  you are more likely to encounter softer, shallower storm slabs below treeline as the snow continues to stack up.  At lower elevations and in wind-sheltered areas, you are likely to trigger a storm slab avalanche on convex rollovers and steep unsupported slopes.  Look for signs of instability like cracking in the new snow and recent avalanches as an indicator to stay off of similar slopes. 

    (12/22/2021)

    Don't be surprised to find firmer wind slabs near and below treeline on Monday.  Avoid steep slopes even at lower elevations where an avalanche could rake you through trees.  

    Photo: Mt Rainier Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

Winds picked up in advance of the storm on Sunday. Observers noted wind transport increasing on Sunday ahead of the storm and wind pressed snow surfaces below treeline.  Prior to this system,  very enjoyable and plentiful cold low density snow could be found on much of the mountain.  With more storms on the horizon, this should be an active week for tracking snow totals and avalanche danger. 

Mt Hood received around 8ft of cold dry snow during a series of storms since the winter solstice. Snow Depth Climatology shows settled snow depths at Mt Hood Meadows and Timberline to be near 130% of normal for this time of year. It was certainly a December to remember with a cold, powder-filled end to 2021. 

A very large natural avalanche occurred on 12/23 on the Newton Clark Headwall. Find out more information in this REPORT in the NWAC Avalanche Occurrence Database. Although this avalanche is an outlier event, it should be on your mind if you venture high into the alpine where there is more uncertainty about deeper layers in the snowpack. 

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