Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and wind will increase the avalanche danger on Friday.   Avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have firmer wind stiffened snow near and above treeline.  At lower elevations, you may be able to trigger a shallow storm slab avalanche.   

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects with shifting winds expected with Friday's storm.  Feel for firmer wind stiffened snow as you climb in elevation and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks in the new snow.  Avoid large open slopes steeper than 35 degrees by sticking to lower angle terrain or more wind-scoured aspects. 

    Cornices have grown large in some areas. Besides steering around cornices, give them plenty of space while traveling along ridgelines as they often break further back than you expect. 

    (12/17/2020) Long shooting cracks with textured, stiff and wind deposited snow like this one are indicators of wind slab instabilities.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    A quick 5-8 inches of new snow should accumulate from late tonight through Friday afternoon.  Steer around unsupported slopes steeper than 35 degrees where you find new snow deeper than 6".   Use small test slopes to test the stability of the new snow throughout the day.    

    Test slopes can give you a lot of good information about how new snow has set-up after or during a storm. This test slope shows that storm slabs are sensitive and propagating easily.

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday night's storm dropped up to 6" of snow and came with a bit more wind than forecast.  The Meadows pro-patrol were able to intentionally trigger shallow wind slabs on NE slopes near and above treeline Thursday morning. With a bit more snow and wind expected tonight through Friday mid-day, look for similar avalanche problems to persist.  Below 6000' and beneath the new snow, you'll find a series of thin rain crusts interspersed with moist snow in the upper snowpack.  Instabilities identified in the snowpack earlier in the week about 1.5 ft down haven't been associated with any avalanche activity in the last few days. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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