Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very large and destructive avalanches may release from the upper mountain as this weather pattern continues to hammer Mt Hood with snow and wind.  Don't linger in the canyons even at lower and mid-elevations.  Steer clear of steep unsupported slopes at any elevation until conditions ease.   

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    This is one of those scenarios when the combination of sustained high winds, heavy snowfall, and a complete lack of observations from the upper mountain outside of weather station data makes us nervous about very large and destructive avalanches releasing from the alpine and running several thousand feet downslope.  Let the ongoing storm cycle run its course and stay out of the canyon runouts at lower and mid-elevations. 

    You'll find wind-affected snow at all elevations.  Above treeline expect to find firmer, harder wind slabs that have formed further downslope than usual as well as erratic loading patterns.  These winds slabs may be harder to trigger but if they go,  a large and consequential avalanche is almost guaranteed.  The best advice is simple, stay off of large open steep slopes capable of producing large avalanches.  At upper elevations, strong winds and blowing snow will reduce visibility and complicate travel once again on Thursday. 

    (1/6/2024)

    Hard slab debris from a human triggered avalanche on Pea Gravel Ridge. 

    Photo: Jack Kuenzle

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Another round of significant snow is expected Thursday. Storm slabs may be shallow or break several feet deep on slopes with recently drifted snow.  The new snow needs time to heal.  Dial back your terrain choices and stick to more sheltered and lower angle terrain until recent storm instabilities heal.  Red flags include cracking, collapsing, and recent natural avalanches.  

    You'll need to wrestle with lingering uncertainty surrounding deeper weaker layers that were reactive before this storm cycle started.  As recently as last weekend, remotely triggered avalanches and rumbling whumpfs occurred on NW-N-E aspects above 5500'. The suspect layers are now many feet down from the surface and harder for a human to trigger. 

    Triggering a storm slab in very steep forested terrain can amplify the consequences of any size avalanche.

    Photo: Mt Hood Meadows Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

We're up over 9" inches of water/5 ft of snow since January 6th!  This snow has transformed the landscape, especially the snow-starved lower and mid-elevations in less than a week.  It's important to note, that the snow-line took a detour up to 6000-6500' on Monday, likely forming a mid-storm cycle crust at lower and mid-elevations.  

On Tuesday, Mt Hood Meadows patrol encountered touchy storm slabs up to 3' deep that were easy to trigger below treeline on N-NE-E aspects.  The slabs broke within the recent snow that's accumulated since the cool-down Monday night.  Extreme winds and storm fluctuations had formed a boot-supportable crust above treeline.  Winds and snowfall limited visibility into the surrounding terrain. 

Travelers last weekend remotely triggered avalanches up to size D2.5 and other groups reported whumpfs. Two prominent potential weak layers exist in the upper snowpack that are suspected in these events. The 1/4 and 12/30 crusts both have potential weak snow above them. If avalanches fail on these layers, they could wrap terrain features. 

As snow totals add up quickly, deep snow immersion is becoming a real concern.  Travel with a partner and beware of falling into tree-wells and open creeks!

Regions covered