Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

730 Update:  Middle elevations changed to Moderate Danger. A spring storm will bring a mix of dry and wet snow avalanche conditions.  Wind slabs may be large and dangerous on the upper mountain.  Once the sun pokes out in the afternoon and the day warms, the chance for wet loose avalanches will increase at all elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    This won't be a big storm for Mt Hood, although it should bring enough new snow and certainly wind to produce a fresh batch of wind slabs across higher exposed terrain. You'll likely encounter the most reactive and dangerous conditions during the morning hours. 

    Look for these slabs to be thicker and more widespread as you gain elevation. Strong west winds will productively drift new snow into leeward features and along ridgelines. Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and textured rippled surfaces to help you identify wind loaded features. 

    Steer around steep slopes if you notice active wind loading, shooting cracks, or stiff deeper pockets. Sheltered terrain with lower slope angles will offer safer riding opportunities.

    (3/13/2024)

    Visual  clues help highlight where wind slabs may occur.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches will shed as the day heats up and the sun pokes out. It likely won't take much sun or warming for the new snow layer to react. These wet loose avalanches will likely entrain the new snow, but could gouge deeper and grow larger than you may expect. Initially you'll likely see obvious signs of warming along solar aspects and adjacent to cliff bands. However, avalanches could become problematic on steep, shaded slopes at middle elevations as the day heats up. Once you notice rollerballs shedding and gloppy sticky surfaces, consider moving to shadier or less steep terrain. 

     

    (12/29/2023)

    Small wet loose avalanches in the Upper White River. You could see similar fan shaped avalanches when the sun comes out. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The brunt of this storm will focus on areas further north, but Mt Hood should still squeeze out periods of moderate rain/snow and strong, gusty west winds during the overnight hours. While it's not a big storm, it should be enough to create dynamic avalanche conditions. 

Spring storms tend to be a challenge for avalanche forecasting. Strong storms can give way to sun and microwave-like warming in a matter of minutes - and then turn back to snow showers by the afternoon. Dry snow avalanche problems can quickly turn into wet snow avalanche problems, or you might see both at the same time on slopes with different aspects. So, as a backcountry traveler, be on your game as conditions change and adjust your travel plan based on your personal observations. 

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