Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Recent extreme winds have formed wind slabs on unusual aspects and further downslope than usual.  Exercise caution around wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees.  If you're traveling to further-flung areas in the Mt Hood zone,  look for signs of instability like collapsing, whumping or shooting cracks as indicators that the avalanche danger may be greater in your area. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    All elevation bands will have firm wind affected snow, that's the easy part following several days of strong to extreme winds.   

    Don't take a lack of natural avalanche activity or obvious red flags like cracking or collapsing as a guarantee for stability.  Firm wind slabs may have formed on unusual aspects or further downslope than usual.  While wind slabs may be stubborn to trigger, treat all slopes steeper than 35 degrees with caution. 

     

    Not all wind loaded terrain may be this straight forward to decipher. Probe for firmer or hollow sounding snow as you travel.

    Example: Wind slab avalanche below a corniced ridgeline.

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary avalanche incident information Monday February 8th, 2021: Two snow bike riders were caught and buried by a very large avalanche in the mountains west of Salmon la Sac Sno-Park along Cle Elum Lake. One snow biker was partially buried and was able to dig himself out. The other rider was fully buried and killed by the avalanche. The avalanche occurred on a north aspect at 4400 ft in the Knox Creek drainage. This terrain lies in NWAC’s East Central forecast zone. Avalanche classification: HS-AV-R3-D3-O. 

All of us at NWAC want to extend our condolences to family, friends and the local community following this tragic event.  

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Strong to extreme west winds have been the main story over the last several days at Mt Hood.  From Friday evening through early Monday morning winds at the 6500' weather station at Meadows averaged 30 mph over this stretch with much higher gusts.  Despite a multi-day wind event, no new avalanches were reported on Sunday or Monday.  Textured and firmer wind-affected snow or wind stripped ridgelines should not be hard to find, especially as you climb in elevation.  In areas where winds have stripped recent snow, a thin freezing rain crust may glaze the surface.   An observation from Newton Canyon found this surface crust even on NE aspects below 6000 ft. In wind sheltered areas you may find roughly 4" of snow that accumulated through Sunday morning with a cooling trend. 

The stout mid-January crust is considered the new "ground" with a strong snowpack structure in place below this layer. Weak and faceted snow just above the stout rain crust was responsible for a number of avalanches last week, but no new evidence of avalanches on this interface suggests these facets are gaining strength. 

Headed north to recreate?  We have a tricky snowpack with persistent slab problems in all forecast zones across the state line.  Take the time to read about the different snowpacks that have developed further north and adjust your terrain selection accordingly. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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