Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You may be able to trigger an avalanche in pockets of wind-drifted snow above 7000 ft on Wednesday. These avalanches may be small - but could still ruin your day in extreme terrain. Still, be prepared for challenging mountain travel, especially at upper elevations that may still have a slick crust present. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With just over a quarter inch of water and recent strong SW winds, you may find small, shallow wind slabs at upper elevations on Wednesday. Snow levels have generally been sitting at about 7500 ft over the last 24 hours, so these slabs should be confined to upper elevation, leeward aspects. Chances are these slabs will heal quickly with the warming temperatures, but we’re uncertain about what type of bed surface they rest on. If they formed on a slick, icy bed surface these slabs may be easily triggered, especially once the sun pokes out and the day starts heating up. 

    You may find these wind slabs on the leeward side of canyon walls, below cornices, adjacent to rock and cliff bands, and near the top of chutes and couloirs. As you travel, look for signs of wind-textured snow like dunes, ripples, and rounded pillows. These visual clues can help you identify where the wind has been at work. Avoid wind-loaded pockets if you notice cracking or snow that sounds hollow like a drum. 

    You may find shallow wind slabs like this at upper elevations.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday brought just over a quarter inch of precipitation to the Mt Hood zone. Unfortunately, snow levels climbed above 7000 ft, so much of this precipitation fell as rain at the ski areas. The forecast team is uncertain about what is happening at upper elevations above 7000 ft. Based on weather station data, southwest winds were blowing steadily in the strong range throughout Tuesday. So, any dry snow was likely easily transported by these winds. 

Wednesday is shaping up to be a sunny day, and winds should taper. So, as the day starts heating up, keep an eye out for rollerballs. We don’t expect wet loose avalanches to materialize, but you should keep these on your radar, especially if you find a few inches of new snow and plan to travel on steep, sunny slopes. The bigger issue may be rock/ rime fall shedding off of cliffs once the sun pokes out. Wear a helmet and travel early to avoid this hazard. 

If you head out on Wednesday, prepare for a mixed bag of travel conditions. You may still find icy, firm surfaces at upper elevations. Packing the crampons and ice axe may still be wise to help you travel more efficiently and reduce the chance of a long sliding fall.

Lower elevations have struggled to build a meaningful snowpack so far. Keep an eye out for shallowly buried objects that could ruin the rest of your season. 

 

If you get up on the mountain, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation.

 

 

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