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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While this won't be a big storm by Mt. Hood standards, it should be enough to create heightened avalanche conditions in wind-drifted terrain. If you notice fresh-textured slabs or shooting cracks under your feet or skis, consider steering around steep leeward slopes above 6000 ft. Keep small wet avalanches in mind, especially in consequential terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    As the day progresses, you may notice some rollerballing and even some small wet loose avalanches within the new snow. These slides will be small but will be most pronounced during sun breaks and during daytime warming. Give larger slopes some space if you start noticing rollerballs and pinwheels. You don't need a large avalanche to ruin your day in consequential terrain. 

    (1/28/2024)

    Small wet loose avalanches shedding off cliffs. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A few inches of new snow paired with moderate winds should build wind slabs along the canyons and upper slopes of Mt Hood. These slabs aren't expected to be very deep, but they could fail easily if they form on top of a slick crust. Use visual clues like blowing snow or textured surfaces to help you identify wind-loaded aspects. These slabs will often appear rounded or pillow-like. Consider steering around steep slopes if you notice active drifting or obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks. 

    (2/3/2024)

    An example of cracking in wind-drifted snow. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

This isn't shaping up to be a big storm for Mt Hood, but should help freshen up surfaces and build a fresh crop of slabs in wind-exposed terrain. 

The surfaces around Mt Hood are rough, to say the least. The recent warm-up has left firm surfaces in the alpine, bareground on steep west through south aspects, and wet, unsupportable snow at middle and lower elevations. 

While the new snow may help blanket some of these surfaces, it may not cover all the shallowly buried hazards. Travel cautiously and pack crampons and an ice ax for upper mountain ski and climbing missions. Steep upper elevation slopes will likely stay firm. 

Observations have been sparse. Help create a more accurate forecast by submitting your public observations here. 

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