Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The most dangerous conditions exist in wind-loaded terrain, but still approach any steep, open slope with some suspicion on Monday. We’re coming out of an active period that brought several feet of snow, a long duration of strong winds, and a good amount of avalanche activity. Ease into bigger terrain slowly and avoid steep start zones that appear wind loaded. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Several days of heavy loading have built thick slabs of wind drifted snow across leeward terrain. Average wind speeds out of the SW have been in the 25-40 mph range with gusts peaking in the 90s at weather stations, so look for irregular loading across the terrain. Slabs may exist further down slope, on mid-slope convexities, or even into lower elevations. These types of intense loading events also tend to build hard slabs, which often feel more firm and hollow but can be incredibly destructive if triggered.

    Be leery of these wind slabs as you move into exposed middle-elevation terrain. These slabs will often lurk on the downwind side of ridges and canyons, below cornices, and around cliff bands in alpine terrain. Look for signs of instability by using simple tests such as uptrack tests or small test slopes to help you gauge the sensitivity of these wind stiffened surfaces. However, these tests may not paint the full picture in bigger terrain that harbors wind slabs that are several feet thick. Your best mitigation strategy may just be avoidance of steep, heavily loaded slopes. 

    (3/14/2025)

    Several feet of new snow and rapid loading were observed in the past days. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs were reactive on Sunday. Precipitation will start tapering Sunday night and into Monday, so storm instabilities should start settling out. These storm slabs may not be as reactive, but I still wouldn’t trust steep, open slopes especially if they’re unsupported. Treat these steeper features with suspicion and consider using snowpack tests and small test slopes to help you look for instability. 

    (2/18/2025)

    An example of a small skier triggered storm slab. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

It's been a miracle March around Mt. Hood so far. At the time of this writing, weather stations have picked up over 20 inches of new snow ( 2 in SWE) in the last 24 hours. Unsurprisingly, on Sunday, several avalanche professionals reported natural, wind slab releases and widely propagating storm slabs in middle and lower elevation terrain. 

The storm is easing, and it shouldn’t bring much more than a few inches of new snow on Sunday night. Monday should offer a brief break in action before another system impacts Oregon cascades during the evening hours. While Monday isn’t shaping up to be fully clear by any means, you could still see some sunbreaks. Whenever the sun pokes out after fresh snowfall (especially in March), expect wet avalanche activity on solar slopes. Adjust your plans to avoid steep solars if you notice pinwheels shedding or the surfaces moistening up. 

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