Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

More snow and wind will continue to build fresh slabs, especially in wind exposed areas. Use visual clues such as blowing snow and fresh wind drifts to help you identify slopes of concern. Avoid steep slopes if you notice active wind drifting, shooting cracks, or see the new snow sliding easily on the old snow surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    More new snowfall with steady SW winds will help wind slabs grow in depth and distribution across the terrain. So far, Mt Hood has already picked up over 16” of new snow, so these slabs are certainly building in depth as time moves on. Any triggered slab could easily be 1-3 ft thick. As we move into the morning hours, look for a slight wind shift to more southerly breezes. This could start building slabs in more unusual spots or cross-loading features. 

    Keep an eye out for these slabs on the leeward side of ridges, under cornices, and in the alpine. You can anticipate this hazard by reading the textures of the snow surface.  Look for blowing snow, cornice growth, ripples, or rounded pillows at the snow surface to identify where the wind has been at work. If you see shooting cracks under your skis, split, or sled or feel wind-stiffened snow, be ready to take a big step back and avoid nearby steep slopes. 

    Your key to a safe day in the mountains will be avoidance. Avoid any steep slopes that show signs of recent wind drifting. Once you lose the wind, you lose the problem. Seek out more sheltered slopes out of the wind zone. 

    (1/10/2023)

    Blowing snow and sharp drifts along a ridgeline can help you anticipate wind-loaded features. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Ski patrols and observers have reported triggering soft slabs below treeline that were up to 12 inches deep on Sunday. Look for lingering storm instabilities to be present on Monday. Keep it mellow and avoid steep slopes if you notice signs such as cracking in the new snow or see snow failing easily on test slopes. Use hand pits or small inconsequential test slopes to see how the new snow is bonding with the old snow surface. 

    (2/26/2023)

    You may be able to trigger soft slabs like this on Monday.

    Public Field Report: Tom, Dick, and Harry

    Photo:

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood is producing! As I write this we’re looking at 16 inches of new snow and just over 1 inch of water equivalent. 

Sunday was an active day avalanche wise with the Meadows and Timberline patrols triggering soft slabs 6-12 inches deep with avalanche mitigation work ( observation here). Riders in the Tom, Dick, and Harry  area triggered similar sized storm slabs near treeline. An observer in the Pocket Creek area reported winds actively moving snow near ridgetop and dry loose slough easily running on steep terrain features below treeline.

New snow is really starting to pile up. With that keep dry loose avalanches in mind in steep terrain features. These sloughs will likely be on the smaller side, but could still be consequential if paired with a terrain trap or parties traveling below. Have a plan and make sure you have a clean run out if you ski into steeper roles that could produce these fast moving sloughs.

Enjoy the new snow and keep a close eye on your partners and tree wells. Its starting to get deep out there.  

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