Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You can trigger slab avalanches near above treeline on steep slopes where the wind forms drifts of snow. Wet avalanches are also possible up to about 5,000ft. Expect winds to shift southerly with ongoing snow and rain at lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You can trigger slab avalanches on leeward slopes at upper elevations where strong winds will have snow. Look for obvious signs of instability like recent avalanches or cracks shooting through the snow. When in doubt, avoid upper elevation slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Near treeline, you can steer around smaller, shallow slabs near ridgelines.

    Winds will shift south and southeast on Wednesday. Drifting and slabs forming with westerly winds on Tuesday. You may still be able to trigger avalanches in these recent slabs. 

    Example: Cracking and drifted snow can help you identify and avoid wind slabs in your terrain.

    Photo: Paige Baugher

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Expect wet avalanches on slopes over 35 degrees where rain falls up to roughly 5,000ft. Watch for snow surfaces becoming wet and weak. Use test slopes to check how easily the snow slides. If you sink up to the tops of your boots in wet snow or see snow sliding easily on small test slopes, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees.

    (4/13/2022)

    An example of loose wet avalanches from last week.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Heavy snowfall early last week turned showery toward the end of the week with unusually light winds for Mt. Hood. The final tranche of 6-7 inches of low-density snow arrived on Saturday. In just over a week, the Mt. Hood region picked up nearly 80 inches of snow (4 ft of settled snow) since April 8th.  Snow depths on Hood are 106-110% of normal for this time of year.

NWAC is aware of a possible avalanche fatality at Mt. Hood Meadows on 4/5. We are actively working with local authorities to gather more information about the incident. This incident involved a solo snowboarder and a multi-day SAR effort. You can read our initial statement here. We will update the statement early next week (week of April 18th). 

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