Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Strong winds will easily transport new snow over the 24 hours at mid and upper elevations. Don't let a small avalanche take you for a ride with so many rocks and other early-season hazards exposed or barely buried.  Use caution near steep slopes where you find firmer wind-affected snow.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Terrain with enough snow to travel on may be the same areas with fresh wind slabs Thursday.  Use caution and steer around steep open slopes where you find firmer wind-pressed or hollow-sounding snow.   Before you enter avalanche terrain, weigh the consequences of getting caught in a small avalanche and raked through rough terrain like exposed rocks, trees and creeks. 

    Strong winds will move fresh snow around and may reduce visibility like in this photo.  Pay attention to which aspects are becoming wind-loaded. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

We've received a foot(!) of precipitation over the last week, sadly for backcountry winter travelers much of that fell in the form of rain.  The early season snowpack has been hit hard, especially at lower elevations.  We're going to flip the switch back to winter tonight and Thursday as a new weather system impacts the area.  We have high confidence that the Mt Hood area will see continued strong westerly winds that peak during the day on Thursday but less confidence on how much new snow will fall over this period.  You'll find a refreezing snowpack at mid and upper elevations as the snow level continues to lower over the next 24 hrs.  At lower elevations, the snowpack is even thinner and patchy. 

It's worth stating again that while wind slabs are the problem du jour, the greatest hazard you face may be related to challenging travel due to low snow or the consequences of getting raked through rough terrain in a small avalanche.  Take care and let the snowpack rebuild - it's a long winter and we're just getting started. 

Observations have been few and far between during this storm cycle which started cold and snowy and turned mild and rainy over the weekend.  We did hear from the USGS that several seismically detected avalanches occurred on the mountain on 12/2 and 12/4. The larger (D2-3) of these two events (12/2) likely occurred around 9000ft near the Sandy Headwall on the mountain's west side.

Regions covered