Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Avoid all terrain where avalanches can start, run, and stop on Tuesday including valley bottoms where avalanches may reach from higher elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    Heavy rain will make natural loose wet avalanches very likely.  Avoid all terrain where avalanches can start, run or stop. Below treeline, 15-20" of snow sits above the significant rain crust formed in late December. With 2.25-2.75" of rain forecast in the next 24hrs all of this snow is available to create large loose wet avalanches in terrain steeper than 30 degrees.

    (12/18/2020) Loose wet avalanche debris.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Freezing levels will rise to 8000' along with 2.25-2.75" of rain in the next 24 hrs creating very dangerous avalanche conditions.  Large natural avalanches will be very likely. The upper snowpack consists of mostly dry snow with a number of crusts interspersed within it. As rain penetrates the snowpack these layers may fail. Large and very large avalanches may reach valley bottoms from higher slopes. Avoid all avalanche terrain on Tuesday.

    Debris flow from a very large avalanche in Heather and Clark canyon shows the power of wet slab avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

Between wet and stormy weather and very dangerous avalanche conditions, Tuesday will not be a good day for backcountry travel on Mt Hood. Avoid all avalanche terrain.

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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