Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger an avalanche in pockets of wind-blown snow on Saturday.  You’ll find these pockets forming on the lee-side of ridges, below cornices, and on convex slopes in the alpine.  Look for the wind transporting snow or textured surfaces to help you identify slopes of concern. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The combination of new snow and wind speeds will create reactive wind slabs on specific terrain features at upper elevations on Saturday. We’re looking at up to a half inch of precipitation by the end of the day.  This precipitation combined with the wind should help slabs grow in size and distribution across the terrain. Generally, these wind slabs will remain shallow (6-12 inches deep), but they could be easy to trigger since most slabs will be forming on a slick crust.  

     You’ll likely see blowing snow as you travel, so this should make it easy for you to choose simple terrain.  Pay attention to wind direction and blowing snow- both will point at which slopes are loading up. If you see pillow-like slabs or wind-stiffened surfaces- you likely found a wind slab. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are in-your-face signs of instability. So avoid this avalanche problem by sticking to ridges and staying in more sheltered areas. 

     

    (1/17/2023)

    Shooting cracks - a red flag that should not be ignored.  Avoid wind loaded slopes if you notice signs like this. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, observers reported finding a trace to 1 inch of new snow by the end of the day. The main story was the uptick in S-SW winds and variable travel conditions. 

Going into Saturday, Mt Hood should see a few more inches of new snow accompanied by strong SW winds. Although, wind speeds should relax into teens during the afternoon hours on Saturday.  

New snow will be falling on a variety of surfaces, from a melt-freeze crust on exposed slopes to settled powder on more shaded and sheltered aspects. Whatever surfaces this new snow falls on, it will be essential to see how the new snow is bonding to the old snow surface. As new snow piles up, use hand pits or small test slopes to evaluate how this new snow is sticking to the old surface. With that, tell us what you see by submitting an observation!

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