Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Spring the clock forward, but dial back your terrain selection, particularly as you ascend into wind-exposed terrain. Large slabs will be widespread in upper elevation start zones, with dangerous conditions potentially developing at middle elevations by the end of the day. Avoid actively or recently wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Sunday features the full spectrum of Mt Hood wind slabs from large, thick, dangerous slabs at upper elevations to the small pockets of wind drifts in the lower elevations....and everything in between. Your attention to detail is important for assessing how quickly these slabs are growing in your area. Recognize that slabs will be growing larger and more widespread not just with elevation, but also with time. Dial back your terrain selection throughout the day, seeking windward slopes and safe travel along ridgelines as lee slopes develop thick drifts. Use small test slopes to evaluate how easily the wind slabs fail on the 3/8 interface (crusts or old snow). 

    We don't know whether any surface hoar, present on middle and lower elevation slopes with open canopies, was buried on 3/8. Any avalanche failing on such an interface could break widely across terrain features. If you encounter warning signs such as whumphs or shooting cracks, dial back your terrain selection to slopes less than 30 degrees as avalanches.

     

    Example: Take advantage of small test slopes like this one in wind-drifted terrain to evaluate slab reactivity before engaging with potentially wind-loaded terrain.

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC is devastated to report the death of one of our Avalanche Forecasters, Matt Primomo. Tragically, Matt passed away in a non-avalanche accident away from work on Thursday, March 7th. Matt has been a key member of the NWAC family since 2017. His life in the mountains touched so many people. We are absolutely heartbroken. Please join us as we mourn this immense loss with Matt’s family, friends, and community.

Discussion:  

Saturday was a stormy day with winds ramping up into the strong range and several inches of snowfall in the afternoon. A warm, spring-like day on Friday saw freezing levels rise to 8000 ft, likely putting crusts up to these elevations on all but shaded aspects.  Although recent backcountry travelers generally reported good snowpack stability outside of wind-loaded areas and excellent powder riding in shaded areas, a parade of storms is bringing increasing snow transport to the Mt Hood area and increasing danger.

Cornices may be growing large and sensitive. Give them a wider birth on the ridgelines and on the slopes below. Actively loading cornices may fail without warning, potentially triggering an avalanche on the slopes below.

While we don't expect much sunshine, expect rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches if the sun makes an appearance. Adjust to shaded aspects.

If you're out in the snow, share your observations with us and your local backcountry community.

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