Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

There's a lot of uncertainty how the hazard will shake out Monday as we whipsaw from Spring to Winter.  Use caution near any steep slope with wet punchy snow or where you see evidence of fresh wet snow avalanches, some could be large. Avalanches within the new snow are likely at upper elevations, especially on steep wind-loaded slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The new snow should bond well to a refreezing surface at mid and upper elevations, but in true Mt Hood fashion, we'll go from one extreme to the next with a swift return to winter-like conditions featuring periods of heavy snow and strong winds. 

    Watch for blowing snow, and avoid steep lee slopes where you find significant drifting.  If you see shooting cracks as you travel or see new avalanches, these are clear signs to return to lower angle or more sheltered slopes. 

    (3/22/2025)

    You may find reactive fresh wind slabs at mid or especially upper elevations Monday.  

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Wet Slabs

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

    A good shot of rain on Sunday night before cooling may lead to a fresh round of wet snow avalanches at mid or upper elevations.  Where the rain intersects with a drier snowpack, we could see isolated but large wet slab avalanches overnight as well as the wet loose variety. 

    As conditions cool later Sunday night into Monday, mid and lower elevations will be in a transition period.  Wet loose and slab avalanches may shift towards unlikely, but we can't rule them out completely.  However the weather and snowpack transition plays out Monday, use caution near any steep slopes that still feature a wet, punchy snowpack. If you see evidence of fresh wet snow avalanches, back off and avoid nearby avalanche terrain.   

    Think about "shed" style avalanches - blocks of snow that release off of steep rocks/cliffs at elevations that don't see a proper refreeze.  These types of avalanches can seemingly release randomly during extended warm stretches as meltwater moves through the snowpack.  Large cornices have been primed to fall down over the last few days and may trigger subsequent avalanches on the slopes below. Give cornices a wide berth while traveling along ridgelines and on the slopes below.  

    (4/6/2025)

    An intentionally triggered wet avalanche grew large (D1.5) as it slowly moved downhill and entrained saturated surface snow. 

    Photo: Craig Murderlack

Avalanche Discussion

Friday through Sunday were warm days with temperatures generally above freezing.  Rain and wind were beginning to pick up Sunday.  While we haven't heard much about wet snow avalanches over the past few days, there has been a steady trickle of wet loose avalanches and cornice fall reported further north during this mild stretch including the nearest neighbor volcanoes of Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier and Mt Adams. The biggest question is how the snowpack handles this messy Spring storm - significant rain/high elevation snow Sunday night, followed by additional snow and strong winds at cool but not cold temperatures.   

While lower elevations are starting to melt-out, you're likely to find a drier and more layered snowpack at the highest elevations above NWAC's forecast bands.  Make sure to make your own assessment wherever you travel.  

Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

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