Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

New snow and strong winds arriving overnight Wednesday will create fresh wind slabs on lee slopes. Afternoon sun breaks will result in wet loose avalanche activity later in the day. Approach lee slopes with wind blown slopes steeper than 35 degrees with caution in the morning and avoid slopes getting direct sun in the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind slabs will form rapidly overnight Wednesday and may run easily above a frozen crust that currently makes up the surface snow. Look for textured and firm snow on lee slopes as a sign you could trigger a wind slab avalanche. Steer around slopes steeper than 35 degrees directly below cornices and where you see snow drifted by the wind to avoid triggering a wind slab. Look for shooting cracks or fresh cornices as a sign that you could trigger an avalanche on a similar slope.

    (3/2/2021) Natural wind slabs at 9000 ft in wind-loaded start zones.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Slopes receiving direct sunshine in the afternoon on Thursday will likely have weak snow surfaces on which you could create wet loose avalanches. Where you see wet snow surfaces or find yourself sinking into the snow more than 6 inches, navigate around slopes steeper than 35 degrees especially above terrain traps like cliffs and creeks.

    (3/12/2021) Recent small, natural Wet Loose avalanches and rollerballs

Avalanche Discussion

Snow surfaces have consolidated at Mt. Hood Wednesday with cooler temperatures and strong winds. Incoming snow will create fresh wind slabs at upper elevations and sun breaks by the afternoon will create the possibility of loose wet avalanches. Approach slopes over 35 degrees with caution. 

Minimize your exposure to cornices if you travel on or below ridgelines. The sun has exposed rocks near ridgelines and on south and west-facing slopes. At low elevations, creeks may contain significant flow and snow bridges are beginning to become suspect.

As we continue into spring, we're experiencing a gradual transition from a colder layered snowpack to a wet spring snowpack. That transition takes place from the top down. If you dig down in the snow, pay attention to how deeply meltwater has percolated, and please consider sharing your finding on the public observations page. This will improve our ability to forecast wet avalanche problems as the spring snowpack evolves.

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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