Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Winds have distributed recent storm snow onto a variety of aspects and slabs could be difficult to identify. Use smaller test slopes and terrain features to gain confidence about wind patterns in your area before considering larger or unsupported terrain features. Use caution on aspects with shallow snow cover due to the risks of barely submerged obstacles.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    You're more likely to trigger generally small (up to size 1.5) slabs formed by the more recent round of wind NE wind in locations. These slabs should be confined to the snow above a density change formed by winds over the weekend.  Pay attention for signs of wind transport near atypical S and W aspects. Some of these slopes melted to bare ground and rock and have shallowly submerged sharp objects that will increase the trauma from any avalanche.

    Don't let down your guard if you find less wind-affected snow on the surface. Older slabs up to size 2 from winds over the weekend may be masked low-density powder. They should be stubborn to trigger and isolated to heavily wind-loaded, steep, and unsupported N and E aspects. Given the complex wind patterns, make sure to test for hard over weak snow layers all the way down to the 2/19 crust. When in doubt, stick to smaller terrain features and lower slope angles if you ascend into wind-affected snow.

     

    (2/22/2022)

    Explosive triggered wind slab (D1.5) in Heather Canyon. Failed within the storm snow.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood picked up 24-27 inches of snow since Saturday evening.  Moderate WSW winds were gusting strong as the snow arrived over the weekend. The winds took a break on Monday, but picked back up Monday night out of the NNE, transporting the low-density snow. NE winds will continue to transport snow and drift snow onto unusual and shallow W and S aspects through Tuesday evening.  You might find a consistent density change caused by a wind layer within the storm snow. We suspect most avalanches will not entrain snow down to the well-bonded snow/crust interface buried 02/19. The snowpack below this interface is strong with no layers of concern.

While temperatures should remain quite cold, the late February sun remains impactful. If the sun comes out for a period of time, expect steep slopes with direct sunlight to destabilize and form shallow loose avalanches that could knock you off your feet in steep terrain. Watch warming/melting rocks, cliffs, and tree bombs that could initiate avalanches on the slopes above you. Additionally, if you notice the sun changing the slab character of the upper snowpack, take the time to evaluate the new information - stick to slopes less than 35 degrees and smaller terrain features if the recent snow becomes more cohesive.

This snow has created great riding conditions, but it won't bury all rocks, tree stumps, and all the other ground hazards that were recently exposed. Ride cautiously in shallow terrain. 

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