Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Sustained winds and snowfall add to large drifts you can easily trigger on lee slopes. Expect eratic wind-loading patterns with slabs forming mid-slope or near canyon bottoms. Probe and evaluate locations with firm, punchy layering as you ascend into higher risk terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind drifted snow will form large drifts that will be increasingly easy to trigger as you ascend in the terrain. Actively blowing snow, fresh sharp cornices, wind-textured snow, and stripped ridgelines all confirm the problem.  Strong winds often result in eratic loading patterns. You could find large deep pockets in the immediate lee of ridgelines, but in some cases winds may pile snow onto mid-slope rollovers or even down-canyon moraines where they would be more likely to surprise you. With limited visibility, the best plan is to stay off wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees until the wind loading decreases. Seek sheltered mid-elevation slopes and smaller, low-consequence features on Saturday.

    (12/18/2025)

    An example of a small intentionally triggered wind slab from Thursday on Mt Hood. 

    SS-AS-R1-D1-S @ E aspect, 6500 ft. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood and its surroundings are still experiencing the impacts from Thursday's atmospheric river, bringing flooding and fresh road closures, contributing to mountain access issues. The storm started cold and brought around 11-13 inches to the ski area bases as temperatures warmed. NWAC forecasters found reactive storm snow and easily triggered small avalanches along wind-loaded features above 6000 ft. They also reported a sharp rise in avalanche danger as they crested above 6000 ft into windier terrain.  Unfortunately, temperatures kept spiking throughout the day, and higher weather stations reported temperatures above freezing, so you can expect a newly formed crust that extends through at least 8000 ft. Ski area bases then picked up 4-8" of snow above the 12/18 crust after temperatures cooled, and you'll likely find significantly more at higher elevations. That means, the upper half of the snowpack is relatively low density powder, above a refreezing block of ice. We're expecting another 5-7" of snowfall through the day Saturday. 

While the wind slab problem should be front and center on your mind, in sheltered terrain, you could trigger soft storm slabs or dry loose avalanches initiating in the steepest terrain. Use your favorite quick column test, check for snow that wants to entrain down slope, and also look for any sign of a poor bond with the underlying crusts. If you find causes for concern, simply avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Snowpacks are building, but they remain shallow and submerged obstacles are widespread in lower and middle elevation terrain. The recent rain crust may help, but rocks and tree stumps are poking through in places you don't expect them. Ride with extra control and discipline until we get a bit more snow. Lower elevations are just on the cusp of having enough snow for recreation with about 5" of snow reported at Government Camp on Friday.

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

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