Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Pay attention as snow surfaces thaw throughout the day. You may see minor wet avalanche activity on steep, sun exposed slopes as the day heats up. Firm travel during the early morning hours and early season obstacles could be your greatest hazard. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    You may see a wet loose or two as refrozen surfaces melt along SW-S-SE aspects. These small, point releases will likely be most prevalent in steep, rocky south-facing terrain. Watch for rollerballs and wet, sloppy snow as warning signs.  If you're sinking past you're ankles in wet snow, it's time to start thinking about wet avalanches. Time your day and have a backup plan to move to shadier or lower-angled slopes if necessary. Use caution in very steep terrain and around terrain traps like cliffs and gullies where even small wet avalanches could be dangerous.

    (3/7/2024)

    This is the type of terrain where you could see signs of warming and small, wet loose avalanches during the afternoon hours. 

    Photo: Koby Yudkin

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday will be another rinse and repeat with high freezing levels and valley inversions. 

Despite the high freezing levels, folks are still enjoying cold, weakening snow surfaces along N-E aspects.On these aspects at higher elevations, there is a chance of encountering small, lingering wind slabs particularly below cliffs & cornices, in gullies, and on steep rollovers. Pay attention to snow texture and depth, and consider giving wind-loaded pockets a quick test before committing to steeper features. Step it back if you notice hollow-sounding snow or cracks shooting out from under your feet or skis. 

As you move to solar aspects (SW-SE) you’ll encounter a surface crust that has been breaking down by late morning on most slopes. If you head out early, use caution when this crust is slick and supportable. Packing the ski or boot crampons and having a self-arrest tool may be a nice addition to travel more securely on steeper, exposed terrain. 

Regardless of elevation, numerous early-season obstacles still lurk. Give yourself extra time to navigate these hazards and consider the consequence of a long, sliding fall or a small avalanche on slopes with shallow coverage.

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation! 

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