Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Winds continue to drift snow at the highest elevations where you can still trigger a slab on a steep, actively or recently loaded lee slope. Near and below treeline, enjoy the good snow, but note that extreme terrain features are where an isolated slab could still impact your day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate winds continue to blow and drift snow on parts of Mt. Hood, primarily above treeline. The wind drifts from the last 24-36 hours and areas of active snow loading are the areas to identify and steer around where they intersect slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Slopes below sharp cornice lips and ridgelines, smooth lens-shaped pillows, or cross-loaded features such as gullies are places to avoid in high-altitude wind-exposed terrain. Widespread weaker snow surfaces are present near and below treeline, so if winds do drift snow into more sheltered locations, expect shallow slabs to by touchy.

     

    Drifting snow above treeline.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Mt. Hood enjoyed sunnier-than-expected conditions Thursday morning with some clouds moving in during the afternoon. A thin crust is expected on sun-exposed aspects by Friday.

NWAC forecaster Joe Dellaporta was on Cooper Spur on Friday. He (and other observers) noted moderate wind transport above 8000 ft, but light winds at 7000 ft near his high point. He found right-side-up snow above the 2/13 crust which increased in depth progressively from less than 8" below 4800 ft to more than 1 ft above 6000 ft. The new snow had widespread weak, faceted surfaces and surface hoar near and below treeline that made for excellent riding conditions, but this interface will be worth tracking moving forward.  He found no concerning test results, suggesting that from the 2/13 interface downward we have a strengthening snowpack. 

About 1.5" of water/16" of snow was recorded at area weather stations through Tuesday morning along with strong to extreme westerly winds.  Mt Hood Meadows pro-patrol triggered 1-2' deep wind slab avalanches on wind-loaded slopes near and above treeline Tuesday morning during avalanche mitigation. At this time, we think that enough settlement and healing has occurred since the last major storm that old, large slabs are becoming unreactive.

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