Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago.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

Highlights

Shallow slabs and wind redistribution will increase as you head to higher elevation on Mt Hood. It only takes 2-3" of snow above the crust to form slabs 6" or thicker that could take you for a ride. Steer around start zones and slopes below fresh, sharp wind lips.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The amount of recent snow above the 3/24 crust will dictate whether there is wind slab hazard in your terrain. As snow amounts increase, there has been plenty of wind to redistrubute that snow to form cohesive slabs. Don't underestimate the potential for 2-4" of snow to form slabs large enough to take you for a ride on a heavily loaded slope. Although the majority of the risk will be found in typical start zones, strong winds could have deposited shallow, dense drifts on mid-slope features. Slabs are expected to be more isolated at middle elevations, but should increase in depth and distrubution as you ascend higher on a slope. Take the time to evaluate small test slopes and wind lips. When in doubt, steer around steep wind-loaded slopes below fresh, sharp cornices.

    Example: Cohesive slabs within wind loaded textured snow forming above a crust.

    Photo: Ryan Matz

Avalanche Discussion

Late Wednesday's storm system brought 2-3" of snow to Mt Hood. This recent snow lands mostly on top of the newly buried 3/25 crust. At upper elevations, the fresh snow may have arrived on a new/old snow interface sitting above a crust buried as heavy rain changed (briefly at these elevations) to snow with the stronger system that brought 0.9" of water eqivalent on 3/24. At these higher elevations, more uncertainty exists regarding the depth of recent snowfall, but you're unlikely to find depths more than 6" until you ascend above NWAC forecast elevations. Ridgeline WSW winds have been moderate to occasionally strong throughout the storm cycle. Given the winds cooler temperatures on Wednesday, riders reported softening on sun-exposed aspects, but firm crusts on other aspects and above 6500 ft. 

As winds die down by Thursday, it's possible that some areas of wind-sheltered snow could be destabilized by increasing sunshine and warming temperatures. If you start feeling the snow warm up or observe rollerballs, limit your exposure to steep snow-covered slopes that may be above you. A small wet loose avalanche could run efficiently on the underlying crusts.

Recent observations illustrate significant loss of snow coverage on windward aspects, along ridgelines, and at lower elevations following multiple days of warm temperatures. Fresh snowfall may thinly mask riocks and other obstacles. Snow bridges have become tenuous or fully melt out in recent days. Ride with caution if you're in one of these shallower snowpack areas.

Observations from the north side of the mountain have been limited, but as of last weekend conditions look rugged from afar with pockets of old drifted snow, scoured ice, and rain runnels from last week. NWAC forecasters spotted numerous large crowns that likely failed during last week's natural cycle. You will likely continue to find debris piles and old crowns from that impressively stormy week as you move around the mountain in the coming days. Check out the photos in the gallery for snapshot.

Are you heading out? Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here or on the AvyApp. 

Regions covered