Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A spring storm will create dangerous avalanche conditions in wind loaded terrain. Steer around steep slopes that look freshly loaded and activly look for signs of instability as you travel. Triggering wet avalanches will be possible near or below the snow line. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Avalanches will be easiest to trigger in wind loaded terrain on Monday. Look for these slabs to be bigger and more reactive as you climb into windy, exposed terrain above 6000 ft. Slabs will form over a variety of wet snow surfaces and crusts, so slab sensitivity may vary from slope to slope. Use can use small test slopes or snowpack tests to help you pinpoint instability.

    Look for these slabs on the downwind sides of ridges, below cornices, or on steep convexities in exposed terrain. Watch for blowing snow, dunes, sharp cornices, and snow pillows. Wind slabs will often feel stiff or may even keep you on the surface in more exposed terrain. Pump the brakes if you notice shooting cracks under your feet or skis. 

    You can minimize your exposure by avoiding steep, wind loaded start zones. Blowing snow and poor visibility will make it harder to know exactly where you are and what's above you, so include wider safety margins or buffer zones in your travel plans on Tuesday. 

    As new snow piles up, it's possible that storm slab instabilities may develop as the day progresses. If you find over 6-8 inches of new snow, be suspicious of steep openings in more sheltered terrain. 

    (2/1/2025)

    Blowing snow, fresh drifts, sharp cornices, and rime all point towards wind loading along this ridgeline. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

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

    Near the snow line and below, keep wet avalanche concerns on your radar. Over the last 24 hours, we have seen nearly 1 inch of rain at elevations below 6500 ft. The snowpack may be wet and punchy in many areas, so pushing a wet avalanche could be easier than you think on steep, unsupported slopes. Any wet loose avalanche could gouge and grow large on bigger slopes or in canyon terrain. Predicting when and where you’ll trigger a wet avalanche is tricky. So the best mitigation strategy is avoidance, especially if you find yourself sinking past your boot-tops in wet, sloppy snow. 

    (2/23/2025)

    An example of small wet loose avalanches in Mt Rainier National Park. 

    Photo: NPS Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

Mt. Hood sits on the southern periphery of this storm track. There is a wide range of outcomes for precipitation totals, so approach Tuesday with some flexibility. Stay tuned to the weather station data, and check back for any avalanche forecast updates after 7:30 AM. 

Avalanche forecasting in the spring is complicated, especially during stormy periods like this. Observations tend to be more sparse and frequent temperature fluctuations can easily create overlapping avalanche problems. With fewer on-the-ground observations, there’s usually a higher degree of uncertainty in our avalanche forecast product. During these active periods, consider building in a wider safety margin to account for the unknowns. It's a good reason to dig around more and approach steep terrain with more caution. 

If you get out, we would love to hear from you. Submit a snowpack, weather, or avalanche observation here. 

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