Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Sustained winds will maintain snow transport and dangerous conditions at upper elevations. Expect slabs to grow rapidly in size and reactivity above 6000 ft with a crust limiting danger below that elevation. Identify the transition and signs of active and recent wind transport to avoid wind-loaded lee slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate winds continue through mid-morning on Saturday. However, a refreezing rain crust buried early Friday has limited snow on it below 5800 ft. As you ascend, note where this thicker crust disappears and becomes wafer-thin. Expect rapidly increasing danger from there upward, in upper near treeline and particularly above treeline areas. You should experience a vastly changed environment with larger drifts and continued significant snow transport into the morning hours. Try to identify wind-loaded areas before you find yourself on a steeper slope where firmer snow cracks under your mode of transport with softer snow underneath. Avoid all wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees, particularly during the morning hours when those slabs will be most reactive.

    Cornices have grown large and over-extended in recent days. Give them a wider birth near ridgelines. As they continue to build, they tend to break further back than you expect. They are an excellent indicator of a wind loading on the slope below.

    (12/30/2022)

    Explosive triggered soft slab on East aspect at 5400 ft in the Meadows Ski Area.

    SS-AE-D1-R2-I

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Since  a strong crust was buried 12/27, 21" of snow has fallen. Rain fell on both Friday and again late Friday night with 4" of snow sandwiched between crusts. You can find the uppermost crust in the photo gallery. The upper crust becomes wafer-thin and insignificant above 5800 ft. Moderate WSW winds were transporting plumes of snow ejecting off sharp cornices with wind ripples evident near treeline. Runnels or rain rills can still be found with minimal dry snow or avalanche hazard below treeline.

Mt. Hood meadows triggered shallow slabs with explosives that propagated widely on Friday morning. On Thursday, the patrol reported 4-8" storm slabs that were reactive to explosives but not ski cuts.

Expect a slightly cooler, day on Saturday, but once winds die down, sun breaks could produce a round of rollerballs and small wet avalanches on slopes directly facing the sun. Avoid exposure to slopes steeper than 35 degrees if the snow becomes wet and sticky.

If you get out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation!

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