Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Small wet loose avalanches are possible in areas that recently received a few inches of new snow and see warming temperatures and/or rain on snow Wednesday.  Use care around terrain traps where even a small avalanche could result in an injury. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    At elevations that received a few inches of snow recently, you may be able to trigger a small wet loose avalanche or sluff on steep slopes.  While these avalanches will likely be small, take care around cliffs, exposed rocks and trees where a small avalanche could be troublesome.  Continue to give sagging but large cornices a wide berth along ridgelines and don't linger below them as temperatures rise once again and light rain moves into the area. 

    (1/7/2022)

    Small natural wet loose avalanche (D1) along Hwy 35 (NE aspect, 3100ft)

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Strong westerly winds were observed at Mt Hood on Tuesday along with slowly cooling temperatures.  A few inches of wet snow accumulated by the end of the day (likely higher amounts on the southern and western side of Mt. Hood) as winds decreased, making any new wind slabs small and unlikely to trigger on lee slopes at higher elevations.  There will be a warm-up that starts Wednesday and peaks Wednesday night and Thursday morning as a strong frontal system impacts the area.  

The snowpack experienced a significant and prolonged thaw MLK weekend, with a stretch of sunny skies and spring-like weather. Remote weather stations around Hood recorded above freezing temperatures Fri-Mon.  Generally small wet avalanches ran during the heat of the day on the sunniest slopes. A few cornices sagged and fractured as well (thanks for all the observations), and many glide cracks opened up, but only one turned into an avalanche that we know of (observation).  Surface hoar was observed as well, but this weak snow grain was likely destroyed by the subsequent sun, warming, or rain as we head into the next storm cycle.  Plenty of folks took advantage of the good weather window over the long weekend and climbed high. Falling rime ice began mid-morning, and observers witnessed several large chunks fly down popular southside climbing routes. A few moats, glide cracks, and melting fumaroles were additional hazards to avoid on the upper mountain. Textured, icy surfaces were found in many places, and frozen rain rills made for a bumpy ride below 6000ft.

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