Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Update: Increased upper elevation danger to HIGH due to higher overnight snow totals. 

Another storm will maintain dangerous avalanche conditions around Mt. Hood. You’ll encounter the most dangerous conditions in wind-loaded terrain above 5500 ft, but don’t let your guard down on more sheltered steep slopes either. Continue to avoid travel on and under steep, open terrain until this storm cycle has run its course. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs continue to grow as new snow piles up. Over 40 inches of new snow has fallen since Christmas, so we suspect wind slabs may have the ability to break several feet thick and run far into Canyon terrain. The wind has been incredibly strong and blown from numerous directions over the past days, so don’t be surprised to find these slabs in unusual spots, like west aspects or on mid-slope convexities. These slabs will range from soft to hard based on your elevation. As you gain elevation above 6000 ft, expect these slabs to become thicker, denser, and more consequential if triggered.  

    The best strategy to manage this problem during stormy periods is to use avoidance. Avoid traveling on or under steep slopes that appear wind loaded and use active drifting as a warning sign. It won’t be the day to test your luck as these slabs will be large enough to bury and kill people. 

    (12/28/2024)

    Forecasters observed heavy drifting at lower elevations around 5500 ft on Saturday. Blowing snow like this is a good indicator that wind slabs lurk nearby. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Just because you're out of the wind, doesn’t mean you're safe. With over an inch of water in the forecast, storm snow may stay reactive to the weight of a backcountry traveler on Sunday. 

    Use caution during periods of heavy snowfall or if you find the new snow sliding easily under your feet or machine. Between 5-6000 ft these storm slabs could trigger easily and gouge into wet snow, and become a larger wet avalanche in the end. 

    You can use small test slopes or snowpack tests to help you gauge how reactive this new storm snow is. Simplify your terrain selection and seek out sheltered slopes under 30 degrees, especially during periods of heavy snowfall or if you notice obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks.

    Additional Discussion:  4000 ft snow levels will maintain wet avalanche concerns in lower elevation terrain. Watch for rollerballs or point-release sluffs as warning signs of larger wet loose avalanches. 

    (12/28/2024)

    Avalanche professionals triggered storm slabs that gouged into wet snow at lower elevations on Saturday.  

    5200 ft, E aspect. 

    Photo: Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

The firehose just continues to point at Mt. Hood and the southern Washington volcanoes. Look for this trend to continue on Sunday as yet, another potent storm pushes into the region. Wind speeds and precipitation rates are forecast to increase during the afternoon, so look for increasing avalanche danger during the later afternoon & evening hours. 

On Saturday, weather stations picked up another 4-6 inches of dense new snow. The Mt. Hood Meadows Pro Patrol reported triggering large avalanches in storm snow that gouged into wet snow as they gained momentum. Backcountry travelers continue to report the rain/snow line sitting around 5000 ft. The snowpack becomes progressively drier and deeper as you climb above 5000 ft. 

Its been a big week for Mt Hood, so tree wells and creek holes are likely becoming quite deep. Keep your partners in close sight and have communication devices. 

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

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