Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Slopes with enough snow to ride will be the same wind-loaded slopes primed to slide on Friday.  Avoid all wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees above treeline where slabs may be large. Steer around small, wind-loaded convexities and terrain traps at lower elevations where shallow snowpack will make even a small ride traumatic.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Expect increasing size and reactivity of wind slabs as you ascend in the terrain and as the day progresses. Winds continue to redistribute recent and actively falling low-density snow onto lee slopes. Firm, punchy, or cracking snow surfaces indicates that wind slabs are present in your terrain. Slabs will run efficiently atop the late November crust. Avoid all wind-loaded slopes steeper where you find continuous snow. These areas will be far more prevalent above treeline, but extend to more specific terrain near treeline such as generally east-facing sides of canyons or ravines. 

Avalanche Discussion

Mt. Hood picked up 7-8" of new snow Wednesday night through Thursday, with the new snow falling primarily on dirt. Moderate winds with occasionally strong gusts were redistributing the rapidly accumulating snow onto lee (generally east-facing) slopes, forming deposits up to 2 ft deep. NWAC forecaster Andrew Kiefer found challenging travel around little zigzag canyon on Thursday. He was able to intentionally trigger isolated 3-6" wind slabs on steep, wind-loaded terrain features near treeline. Shooting cracks provided a prime indicator for the increasing slab hazard. Below treeline, there was not enough snow to ride or warrant an avalanche hazard. Avalanche hazard was building.

With cold temperatures and moderate snow showers Friday night transitioning to continuous snowfall on Friday, we expect another 6-10" of snow through the day. Increasing winds should enhance wind slab size, depth, and the likelihood of human trigger. This creates a challenging early-season environment for backcountry travel on Friday. Near treeline, snow depths will increase to shallowly cover more rocks and tree stumps, but early season hazards will be very much in play. Wind-loaded areas will be most rideable, but also represent prime trigger locations for small avalanches that could rake you into early season hazards or terrain traps. Wind slab hazard will be increasingly widespread above treeline. You can minimize the avalanche and early season hazards and still recreate safely by choosing lower angle slopes (less than 35 degrees) with continuous snow coverage.

With a strong system arriving Friday night, expect a further increase in avalanche danger heading into the weekend.

Regions covered