Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Ongoing snowfall will maintain heightened avalanche conditions in all elevation bands. Be especially cautious in the morning hours and around large wind-loaded slopes. Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before stepping out into aggressive terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You can trigger a large avalanche in wind drifted snow at upper elevations, especially on easterly facing slopes along gullies and canyon walls. Use visual clues to identify and avoid recently wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees. Pay attention as you transition into wind-affected terrain and look and feel for changes in snow surface texture and hardness. If you observe recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapses, move to wind-sheltered or lower angled terrain. 

    (12/14/2021)

    An intentionally triggered avalanche (D1) in Salmon River that broke 6-12in deep and 30ft wide in wind-drifted snow (6200ft, SE). The avalanche was triggered by a skier from a short distance away on the low-angled ridge.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Rounds of cold, low-density snowfall continue to stack up and form fresh slabs. The new snow will take additional time to stabilize, and storm slab avalanches up to 1ft thick are possible on steep unsupported slopes. Slabs will be most sensitive to triggers during the first half of the day, especially around convex rollovers and rocky outcrops. Test the snow as you travel looking for sudden or easy fractures in hand pits and snowpack tests. Avoid terrain traps like gullies and areas above cliffs where even small avalanches have consequences. When in doubt, default to low-angle terrain

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood received 6-8in of new snow Wednesday, and another 3-6in are expected over the next 24 hours. The bulk of additional precipitation comes overnight with snowfall rates decreasing throughout the day Thursday. 

Incoming snow will take a couple of days to settle and bond to old snow surfaces. On Wednesday, observers on the north side of Mt Hood in the Tilly Jane headwaters reported shooting cracks and unstable results in snowpack tests with sudden and propagating fractures on a layer of concern 12-14in below the surface.

With all the recent snow, access increased dramatically over the past week. Before you venture into larger and less forgiving terrain, use small low consequence slopes to gather information and confirm the forecast. Even though it suddenly feels like winter, keep in mind that it’s still early season with plenty of open creeks and shallowly buried obstacles.

Uphill travel reminder: Continue to check in with your local ski area regarding terrain access and parking updates. Closed ski areas often share a similar snowpack and avalanche hazard as the surrounding backcountry. You may also encounter other hazards like active avalanche mitigation, unmarked obstacles, snowmobiles, groomers, and other heavy equipment as ski areas prepare to open. Be prepared to make your own assessments and handle emergency situations.

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