Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Fresh snowfall and strong winds will increase slab hazard near and above treeline. Steer around steep wind-loaded slopes with active wind transport or where you suspect 6" of snow sits above the crust. Make sure you can arrest a fall on exposed icy slopes and travel cautiously in shallow snow areas where rocks lurk just below the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Stormy conditions and moderate snowfall will quickly develop during the morning hours. Wind slabs will start small and locations for D1 human triggered avalanches should be limited early in the day. Slabs should grow larger, thicker, and more reactive during the afternoon. Expect intense snow transport above treeline and actively blowing snow is your biggest warning sign to navigate around lee slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Other signs include firm punchy snow, cracking snow surfaces, and snow accumulating more than 6" deep on the crust. Wind slabs will be isolated to lee slopes near wind-exposed terrain if they extend below treeline.

     

    Example: Actively blowing snow should help you identify specific slopes where wind deposits are growing and likely more reactive. 

    Photo: Kyle Hornor

Avalanche Discussion

Winter is finally returning to Mt. Hood! We expect 6" of snowfall by the end of the day with winds drifting the snow into deeper slabs that you can trigger on Monday. However, there is a slight chance that Mt. Hood could develop a storm slab problem if 8" or more of snow accumulates by the end of the day. If this occurs, assume the avalanche danger may be higher than forecast with more widespread storm slab activity developing and stick to slopes less than 35 degrees. In this event, slab hazard could extend below treeline.

The new snow will fall on an abondance of crusts that will be exposed and firm on wind-exposed slopes. Bring the necessary tools to travel safely and arrest a fall.

The last significant storm brought 8-10in of snow from January 30 to February 2. Since then, warm, sunny days and clear nights created melt-freeze conditions on sun-exposed aspects. Rainfall, wind, and long periods of unseasonable warmth and sunshine result in variable underlying bed surfaces for the new snow. Surfaces may be runneled or sun-cupped in many areas. Rime ice has been frequently observed and remains slick above approximately 7000 ft.  Older firm surfaces may be grayer than the whiter new snow, so anticipate these variable riding conditions as you move through the terrain. Many wind-scoured and sun-exposed ridgelines have melted out to bare ground with blowing dust accelerating the melt of nearby snow. Travel cautiously in these areas as rocks may be shallowly submerged or exposed and recent rockfall has littered some slopes with rocks on top of the recent crust. Creeks may also be thinly bridged or exposed.

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