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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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Westerly winds will continue to redistribute snow into fresh drifts and maintain dangerous avalanche conditions above treeline. Even though snowfall rates are starting to ease for the first time in a week, the snowpack still needs time to adjust to the 6ft of recent storm snow. Steer around large steep open slopes, especially where you find evidence of recent wind-loading.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Avalanches in wind-drifted snow could still break several feet thick and become large and destructive. Cornices could fall on slopes below acting as huge triggers. Even though the thickest and most reactive slabs exist at upper elevations, you may still need to steer around unstable wind-loaded features below treeline. A bit more snow and westerly winds are on their way, and plenty of recent snow is still available for transport. Pay attention as you transition into wind-affected terrain, and look and feel for changes in snow surface texture and hardness. Avoid wind-loaded terrain 35 degrees and steeper, and don't linger in the runout of large avalanche paths. 

    (4/12/2022)

    Brief clearing between storms on the evening of 4/12 with heavily wind-affected surfaces visible around the Palmer Lift above Timberline Lodge.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Another 4-6in of new snow over the next 24 hours will add to the 75in of storm snow Mt Hood has received since last Friday. All the new snow sits above the prominent 4/8 crust. Soft slab avalanches could break on a variety of layers within new snow. Many dry loose sluffs have been reported as well and will continue to be a concern Thursday. Any of these avalanches could be large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person, especially if they drag you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or into confined terrain like gullies or creeks. Give the storm snow time to gain strength, and be leery of rollovers and steep unsupported features at all elevations.  

    (4/13/2022)

    Shovel-tilt tests produced easy, sudden planar fractures within the top 1.5ft of storm snow (SE aspect, 5800ft)

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC is aware of a possible avalanche fatality at Mt Hood Meadows and is in communication with local authorities. You can read our full statement here.

The wintery weather continues with light snow showers, cool temperatures, and westerly winds. It should be cloudy Thursday, but if the skies unexpectedly clear, watch for rapidly changing conditions on sunny slopes where wet loose sluffs could run naturally.  Given all the recent snow, very large avalanches remain a possibility at upper elevations. Keep this in mind if you are considering crossing below very large avalanche slopes connected to the upper mountain. Also, snow immersion suffocation and tree wells are real hazards in these conditions. Learn more about deep snow safety here.

NWAC staff toured around Timberline Wednesday and found deep snow travel with 4-5ft of settled snow above the 4/8 crust. Several inter-storm layers were reactive in tests, and wind-affected snow was easy to find. Recent avalanche activity was surprisingly limited but was likely covered up by the ongoing snowfall. Brief clearings provided views into the alpine, and sunshine caused a round of small loose wet activity at mid and lower elevations. 

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