Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The snowpack on Mt Hood is generally stable, and avalanches are unlikely in most areas. With another round of sunny, spring-like weather Sunday, pay attention as snow surfaces thaw throughout the day. You may be able to trigger small wet avalanches on the steepest sun-exposed slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Watch for changing conditions on southerly slopes as it warms up throughout the day. Steer around large terrain features greater than 35 degrees where you find wet unconsolidated snow surfaces. Identify terrain traps like gullies, narrow canyons, and cliffs where even a small avalanche could be consequential. The snowpack has mostly adjusted to being wet over the past week of rain, warming, and sunshine. Slopes above 6000ft hold 1-2in of recent snow that could slide on an underlying crust when it warms up. If you see rollerballs, pinwheels, or find yourself sinking more than 6in deep into slushy wet snow, move to shady slopes or lower angle terrain.

    A glide avalanche occurred recently in White River on a south aspect near 5500ft (observation, photo below). This appears to be an isolated event, but be sure to avoid large rocky slopes where you notice crevasse-like cracks in the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC observers found a generally stable snowpack on the southside of Mt Hood Saturday (observation). Wet loose activity was minor, but a few small cornices fell in the afternoon sun. Plenty of folks took advantage of the good weather window and climbed high. Falling rime ice began mid-morning, and observers witnessed several large chunks fly down popular southside climbing routes. A few moats, glide cracks, and melting fumaroles were additional hazards to avoid.

How hard snow surfaces freeze overnight, and how strong the sun shines will drive any lingering wet avalanche issues. Even with the recent warm overnight temperatures, snow surfaces have been firm and frozen in the mornings. Icy conditions can be found in many places above treeline, and frozen rain rills make for a bumpy ride below 6000ft.

Regions covered