Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering large avalanches will become increasingly more likely in wind-loaded terrain as the day progresses. Blowing snow, poor visibility, and increasing precipitation rates should be good enough reasons to stay out of steep, wind-loaded terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Increasing wind speeds and intensifying precipitation with slight warming will be the perfect recipe for reactive wind slabs across upper and exposed middle elevations in the zone. Precipitation will ramp up as the day progresses, so expect the slab depths to increase through the day. 

    Tuesday will be a good day to start stepping back with terrain selection. Strong west W/SW winds will easily transport recent accumulations and make it feel quite stormy in the wind zone. Don’t overthink these obvious clues of wind loading. Blowing snow and wind textured surfaces should help you identify what slopes are loading up and dangerous. Steer around steep leeward slopes that often collect wind snow, such as the downwind sides of ridges & cornices, the base of cliffs, or on mid-slope convexities in the open areas. Cracks shooting out from your feet or machine are obvious signs that you found an unstable wind slab.

    Depending on the timing and intensity of precipitation, it may become increasingly more possible to trigger avalanches in sheltered terrain as the afternoon progresses. 

    (12/13/2024)

    Blowing snow and firm pillow-like drifts are great clues to anticipate wind load slopes. 

    Photo: ONP Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

A winter storm system will bring strong to extreme winds, intensifying precipitation, and some slight warming as the day progresses. With this combo, expect the avalanche danger to be on the rise, particularly as you climb or ride into wind exposed terrain. The avalanche danger may reach Considerable by the afternoon hours at upper elevations.  Any triggered avalanche above 6000 ft could become large enough to become a problem by the afternoon. 

Since January 3rd, Mt Hood has received roughly 6-10 inches of new snow that now rests over stout crust or wet grains from a warm-up around New Year's. Below this crust, we generally have a strong mid- to lower-snowpack. We suspect any future instabilities or triggered avalanches will occur above this January 3rd crust. So far, the only reported avalanche activity occurred on January 5th, when the Mt. Hood Meadows Pro Patrol triggered small, soft slabs in wind-drifted areas between 6-7000 ft. Crown depths ranged from 6 to 8 inches, and most failed on an interface just above this prominent crust.  Added weight from wind loading and new snowfall may start testing any weak layer above this crust in the coming days. 

Our snowpack experienced another setback due to recent warm temperatures and rain. Be on the lookout for early-season conditions and challenging travel at lower elevations if you head out. Many avalanche paths are broken up with rocks, creeks, and early-season terrain depressions. In choosing terrain to ride, consider the consequence of a slide- if one happens, where will it take you? Look for slopes with a clean run-out free bone-breaking trees, creeks, and rocks. 

Regions covered