Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong and gusty winds will continue to redistribute the recent snow at upper elevations. Look and feel for signs of wind-loading and steer around steep slopes with fresh drifts. As skies clear throughout the day, watch for wet and weak snow surfaces on sun-exposed slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In leeward, upper elevation terrain, you can still trigger a large avalanche in wind-drifted snow. Explosive triggered avalanches on Tuesday broke 6-18in deep within new/wind-drifted snow and on the Valentine's Day Crust. These wind slabs appear stubborn to triggers, but continued strong and gusty NW winds will continue to blow snow and load leeward slopes through mid-day Wednesday. With plenty of snow available for transport, existing slabs will thicken and fresh slabs may form. Be cautious when you transition into wind-affected terrain, and steer around steep lee features, gullies, and areas at the base of cliffs where you see fresh drifts. Stick to wind-scoured surfaces and lower angle terrain to avoid the problem. 

    (2/15/2022) The crown of an explosive-triggered avalanche on an east aspect near 7200ft in Heather Canyon. SS-AA-R2-D2-S Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Loose Wet

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

    Strong NW winds and cloudy skies will keep snow surfaces cool through Wednesday morning. By afternoon, sunshine will overcome clouds and winds to thaw the recent snow on E-S-W aspects and cause some small wet loose avalanches. Watch for rollerballs and moist snow surfaces as warning signs. Time your day and have a backup plan to move to shadier or lower angled slopes if necessary. Use caution in very steep terrain and around terrain traps like cliffs and gullies, where even small wet avalanches could be dangerous.

    (2/15/2022) Rollerballs and pinwheels in the Potato Patch above Clark Creek (W aspect, 5200ft) Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

The recent storm brought 8-10in of new snow that appears generally well-bonded to the underlying crust buried on Valentine's Day. The storm snow is heavily affected by the wind near and above treeline with textured surfaces, 1-2ft thick drifts, and many wind-scoured areas where the icy old snow surfaces is exposed.

In addition to a handful of explosive triggered wind slabs reported Tuesday by Mt Hood Meadows Ski Patrol, dry loose sluffs occurred in steep rocky terrain sheltered from the wind, along with minor wet loose avalanche activity on steep sunny slopes. 

It feels like winter has returned with a fresh coat of snow, cooler temperatures, and improved riding conditions. The snowpack endured a beating the past several weeks of unseasonably warm, dry weather. Fortunately, snow depths on Mt Hood are still 83-88% of normal for this time of year, much better than many other parts of the region. Check out the latest Snow Depth Climatology report for more information.

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