Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche problem will be limited to areas where you find wet, unsupportable snow. Steer around steep slopes if you notice you're sinking in past your ankles. If you head up into the alpine, pack the 'sharps' and prepare for firm snow travel. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    In areas where you find wet snow, triggering wet avalanches remains possible - especially in places where your boot penetration exceeds your ankles. As you travel at middle and lower elevations, probe with your pole and use ski/slope cuts along small test slopes to see if the wet snow moves under your feet. Wet loose avalanches will be the most common type - but still keep wet slab and glide avalanches in mind. Observers have reported more glide cracks than usual around Mt Hood, so use caution while traveling below these, especially if the surrounding snow is actively melting and sloppy. These wet avalanches are tough to predict and worth considering as you move through terrain. 

     

    (3/24/2022)

    Take a moment to step off your mode of travel to see how deeply you are plunging into the snow. If you are sinking in past your ankle, start to think about wet avalanches. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

We're finally in a cooling trend, which means our snowpack stability is improving. However, we're not out of the woods yet. Freezing levels are slowly dropping, and skies remain mostly cloudy for another night, likely resulting in sloppy snow below 6000 ft for another day. In these areas, you could still trigger wet avalanches of different shapes and sizes.

However, as you climb above 6000 ft you'll start encountering firm, icy surfaces. On Thursday, observers verified this and reported very slick, icy travel on the upper mountain. They also observed a trace of new snow, but it was barely enough to improve travel conditions. So if you venture out on the mountain, be sure to pack the crampons and ice tools, and be able to self arrest a fall. 

With a trace of snow sitting on the crust along with additional flurries, you may encounter shallow wind slabs on leeward features at upper elevations. These slabs won't be large but may be easily triggered since they'll form on an icy surface. 

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation. 

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