Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It remains possible for you to trigger a large avalanche in wind drifted snow above treeline.  Identify slopes that show signs of recent loading and avoid these areas if you observe signs of instability, such as shooting cracks or notice recent avalanche activity.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You will find lingering wind slabs above treeline on Monday.  The existing wind slabs are  becoming more stubborn in sensitivity, but not impossible to trigger.  Many of these wind drifted slabs are on the  firmer side (1F to P hard depending on elevation).  Hard slabs will often break above you and can be consequential if triggered.  So it will be important for you to identify these wind loaded slopes (areas below cornices or steep slopes in the alpine) and use avoidance if you start observing signs of instability such as shooting cracks or notice recent avalanche activity. 

    Moderate southeast winds will kick up on Monday, so you may start seeing snow blowing onto unusual aspects such as west facing slopes.  These newly formed slabs will likely be shallow, but will be worth watching if you find yourself traveling on this side of the compass.

    Using small test slopes or snowpack tests can be great tools to gauge how sensitive these areas of wind drifted snow remain.  Take a step back and steer around wind loaded slopes if you observe shooting cracks or notice recent avalanche activity.  

     

    On Saturday the Meadows Patrol  triggered large avalanches ( up to D2.5) in wind drifted snow. 

    HS-AE-D2.5-I

    Photo: Nich Asher

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday The Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol triggered isolated wind slabs that broke 1-2’ deep in the alpine. Saturday they triggered larger and wider avalanches in wind drifted snow.  Check out the photos in the gallery for more information. 

On New Years I took advantage of the clear weather to travel in the Timberline area (observation here) and found about 4 inches of new snow from 12/31 in sheltered areas.  Once above treeline conditions became variable, with surfaces consisting of soft sastrugi, firm wind-drifted snow, and icy surfaces in areas that have been stripped by the wind.  I did observe one shooting crack in one isolated area in wind drifted snow, but overall it seems like these slabs are healing and becoming more stubborn at these elevations below 7000 ft.  

Monday should bring a mostly cloudy day to the Mt Hood area, but if the sun does decide to poke out at all, expect steep south facing slopes to get moist. If this does occur, you may notice rollerballs or small wet loose avalanches. Consider avoiding steep south facing slopes if you do observe these signs. 

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation!

Thanks for reading. 

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