Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The sunny, spring-like conditions will continue MLK Day with a return to wetter, cooler weather for the remainder of the week. Even though avalanches are unlikely in most areas, that doesn't mean every slope is safe. Pay attention as snow surfaces thaw, and the potential for wet avalanches and cornice fall increase throughout the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

     The snowpack has mostly adjusted to being wet over the past week of rain, warming, and sunshine. Recent wet loose avalanche activity was minor and may continue with another round of sunny skies Monday. Watch for changing conditions as it warms up, especially later in the day. Steer around large terrain features greater than 35 degrees where you find wet unconsolidated snow surfaces. Identify terrain traps like gullies, narrow canyons, and cliffs where even a small avalanche could be consequential. If you see rollerballs, pinwheels, or find yourself sinking more than 6in deep into slushy wet snow, move to shady slopes or lower angle terrain.

    In addition to wet loose avalanches, cornices and glide cracks should be on your radar if you venture out Monday. In very isolated areas, these features pose a significant hazard to backcountry travelers. It is always prudent to avoid travel on slopes near or below these precarious features.

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack has experienced a significant and prolonged thaw, especially during the past 3 days of warm sunny weather. The most notable observation from Sunday was a fracture behind a large cornice on an east aspect near 6500ft in White River. The cornice was hanging on by a thread and looked like it could fall at any moment. Long-time locals also noted the impressive number of glide cracks on Mt Hood. Despite how many glide cracks there are out there, very few have turned into avalanches. One reportedly ran Saturday on a steep rock slab, also in White River. Check out the photos below. 

NWAC observers found a generally stable snowpack on the southside of Mt Hood Saturday (observation). Wet loose activity was minor, but a few small cornices fell in the afternoon sun. Plenty of folks took advantage of the good weather window and climbed high. Falling rime ice began mid-morning, and observers witnessed several large chunks fly down popular southside climbing routes. A few moats, glide cracks, and melting fumaroles were additional hazards to avoid. Even with the recent warm overnight temperatures, snow surfaces have been firm and frozen in the mornings. Icy conditions can be found in many places above treeline, and frozen rain rills make for a bumpy ride below 6000ft.

Regions covered