Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The hazard in the morning will come from slick surfaces that you could slip and slide on, so bring equipment that will help stop your fall. The snow may soften in the afternoon to the point that you might be able to trigger a small wet snow avalanche. Avoid steep terrain if the snow is wet and unsupportable and keep an eye on overhanging chunks of snow above you that could suddenly fall.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunday will turn into a proper Spring day, which means sunny skies, warm temperatures, and little wind. Crusts will need to break down first before anything starts to move, so we don't expect avalanches to be particularly big. But upper elevations might not see as strong an overnight refreeze as lower down. All in all, there's a chance of triggering a wet snow avalanche, but this kind of slide will be predictable and easy to manage. If you find yourself punching deeply through wet, sloppy snow, take a step back from steep terrain. Rollerballs, pinwheels, and sticky surfaces indicate the snowpack is destabilizing as well. You can also simply time your day so that you're out of avalanche terrain before the day has gotten too warm.

    Put some thought towards shed-style avalanches, which are less predictable and have higher consequences. These are cornice failures, glide avalanches, and large chunks of snow peeling off rock faces. You’re unlikely to trigger something, but if one goes, it could be large and destructive. You can reduce your risk by minimizing your exposure. Don't linger under cornices that appear to be sagging, try to keep moving as you travel on or below large avalanche paths, and don't enter onto a slope with a glide crack present.

    (4/12/2023)

    Wet loose avalanche in new snow in the Baker Backcountry on Wednesday.

    Photo: NWAC Public Obs

Avalanche Discussion

This is the last avalanche forecast for the 24-25 season. Mountain weather forecasts will be published each afternoon through April 27th. NWAC will continue to monitor conditions and issue special avalanche bulletins and warnings as needed. A huge thanks to everyone in our community for your support this winter!

With the exception of upper elevations, we should see some stark temperature differences between Saturday night and Sunday. If you're starting out early, you'll probably want some insulating layers to keep warm and some sharp tools to avoid slipping and falling on slick surface crusts. Ski/boot crampons or a whippet are good examples. A long, uncontrolled fall over consequential terrain could be a season ending accident.

By the afternoon, those warm layers will be long forgotten. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche will have increased, particularly on slopes that have not already slid earlier in the week. Not only could a large chunk of cornice fall and injure you if you're right below it, but it could also trigger an avalanche. The bigger the trigger, the bigger the avalanche can be. Don't be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As we transition into volcano season, keep in mind that NWAC does not forecast above 8500 ft on Mt. Hood. Approach upper mountain terrain cautiously and complete your own snowpack assessments before recreating in steep terrain. The USFS Mt Hood Climbing Ranger page (link here) is an excellent resource that can help you plan for high mountain climbing or ski mountaineering.

Down low, travel has become more hazardous. The snowpack is thin (or nonexistent) and full of rocks, open creeks, downed logs, and branches. There are also open holes that might not be visible from afar and old avalanche debris that can be hard to travel over. Take care to make your entry and exit into the backcountry slower and more deliberate.

A general information product will be published after Sunday with guidance on traveling in the backcountry during the Spring without an avalanche forecast. 

You can continue to support your community by submitting observations to the website or the AVY app for the rest of the season. Stay safe, and we'll see you in the Fall!

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