Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

We're both coming out of a storm cycle and temperatures are warming up. Wind slabs will be reactive on wind-loaded lee slopes and could still be large in upper elevation start zones. Limit your exposure to steep slopes in the direct sunshine with rollerballs warning you as the slope destabilizes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Mt Hood will likely have 7-10" of snow above a refreezing crust by Monday morning. There were moderate to strong winds to blow it around, but the snow has been fairly dense. Thus, upper elevations are where you are more likely to risk a large slab, particularly early in the day as the snowpack adjusts from the weekend storm. Evaluate wind-loaded aspects before entering upper elevation start zones and steer around steep or unsupported areas where the snow has built up more significantly. At middle elevations, slopes in the lee of ridgelines and under fresh, sharp cornices are where you're most likely to encounter a reactive pocket.

    If you find more than 8" of storm snow in your terrain you could have a more widespread storm slab problem. While we generally expect this dense snow to glue in nicely, it's better to check test slopes as you ascend before engaging with steeper terrain.

    (11/30/2024)

    Example: The type of terrain where you might trigger a wind slab on Monday.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Dry, unconsolidated snow on steep SW-S-SE slopes experiencing direct sunshine is where you can expect loose activity on Monday. Much of the snow at upper elevations is probably stiffened by the wind. Pay attention to areas where you see rollerballs or signs of trees and rocks shedding. If the snow gets going it could push you into a gully or recently exposed creek, amplifying the hazard.

    Example: Wet avalanche on a steep slope getting direct sunshine.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood received 8" of dense snowfall with 1.1" of water equivalent. This snow sits on a thick 12/7 crust formed by 1" of liquid water that fell on Saturday morning before rain changed to snow in the early afternoon. 

The photos in the gallery illustrate the landscape before the recent storm. It will look more filled in on Monday, but don't forget that the new snow may superficially bury the hazards. Early Season hazards are still abundant and will easily worsen the consequence of any avalanche. After an extended stretch of high-pressure last week, ridgelines and south-facing slopes may be more exposed and rockier than in late November. Lower elevations have plenty of rocks, creeks, and downed trees to navigate along with blown-out snow bridges from the rainfall. Upper elevations have crevasses and bergschrunds that are thinly bridged or still fully open.

If you get out, we'd love to know what you see. You can submit an observation here!

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