Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

While the sun may shine, a significant warm-up and recent heavy wind loading will create dangerous avalanche conditions on Wednesday. Strong winds have created thick, hard slabs of drifted snow on leeward slopes that a human could trigger. Wet avalanche concerns will ramp up on steep, sun-exposed slopes as the day heats up. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    8-10 inches of new snow accompanied by extreme SW winds have built hard slabs several feet thick on leeward (NE-E-SE)  slopes across the zone. Due to the high wind speeds, these slabs may lurk further down slope than usual or on mid-slope convexities. 

    Be on the lookout for these slabs as you start seeing signs on wind texturing or corniced ridgelines. These slabs will often lurk downwind of cornices, beneath rock and cliffbands, and on unsupported features. 

    While small test slopes and hand-pits are excellent tools to use for smaller terrain features, they may not paint the full picture in heavily loaded alpine terrain that harbors bigger slabs. The best practice in these more complex, wind-loaded areas is to simply wait one or two days until these slabs heal. Shooting cracks, drum-like surfaces, or recent avalanche activity are great reasons to head for more simple terrain.

    (2/25/2025)

    A profile from a wind loaded, east aspect. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Loose Wet

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

    New snow, sun, and rising freezing levels are key ingredients for wet loose avalanche activity. It likely won’t take much sun on solar aspects for you to notice rollerballs and pinwheels by late morning. These could grow large in bigger terrain like Gnarl Ridge or the White River Canyon. You’ll typically see activity on steep, south-west aspects especially if rock or cliffs lurk nearby.

    Wet snow avalanche problems are typically most reactive on the first warm days. Let the warm-up run its course before traveling on steep, sun-exposed terrain. 

    (3/21/2021)

    Wet loose avalanches often initiate where snow sheds off rocks and trees onto the slope below. Note that there are both small rollerballs and wet loose avalanches in this image. 

    Photo: Zack McGill - Cascade Mtn Ascents

Avalanche Discussion

Enjoy the sunshine, but recognize that Wednesday marks the first warm day after a stormy period. New snow doesn’t like rapid change and we’re about to see a rapid warm-up on Wednesday. While some slopes may offer great riding conditions, others could be problematic. Pay close attention to your aspect and ease into the terrain slowly with suspicion. 

Expect a patchwork of surfaces as you crest into the alpine. Extreme winds have likely created a patchwork of scoured surfaces and thick drifts in exposed terrain. Having crampons and a self-arrest tool may be a nice addition if your day takes you on more windward slopes may that have been scoured down to ice. 

Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

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