Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

Heavy snow or rain will bring weak layers in the snowpack to the breaking point. Expect dry and wet snow avalanches to run naturally and trigger easily from the rain/snow line upwards. Avoid all avalanche terrain including lower angle slopes and valley bottoms where avalanches may reach from above.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Expect a natural wet loose avalanche cycle Sunday night as rain falls on a previously dry upper snowpack. By Monday morning, most of the rainfall will occur on slopes that have already received rain. Any snow you can sink in up to your boot top can produce natural avalanches or human-triggered avalanches that may be large on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. If you choose to recreate below treeline, you can do this safely on small terrain features less than 35 degrees that lack exposure to larger avalanche terrain.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Sustained blizzard-like conditions will create very large wind slabs over a cold, weaker layered snowpack. The result? Widespread natural and human-triggered avalanches. Windward slopes may be scoured to a crust while lee slopes will produce avalanches that may be very large. Some of these avalanches could travel long distances into lower angled terrain, below-treeline elevations, and valley bottoms. Avoid slopes over 30 degrees and any terrain where avalanches may reach from above.

    (4/10/2019) This very large wind slab avalanche in April 2019 gauged deeply and ran into significantly lower elevation terrain. Note the stunted trees and open terrain in the photo and avoid similar terrain on Sunday.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Snowfall and increasing temperatures will overload a cold, dry, and layered snowpack. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely above the rain/snow line. Travel is not recommended in avalanche terrain. If you do travel in the mountains keep to slopes below 30 degrees, use extra caution above cliffs and creeks and stay away from slopes where avalanches can reach from above.

     

    (2/13/2021) This widely propagating storm slab occurred Saturday at Bennett Pass.

Avalanche Discussion

Monday marks the 12th day of a major storm and avalanche cycle.  Mt. Hood has picked up close to 90" of snow since Thursday the 11th when the storm cycle began! The snowpack has increased by about 50-55" as it settles. A widespread avalanche cycle occurred Saturday and another on Monday/Tuesday. On Sunday, the scales likely tipped once again with reactive snow reported by Mt. Hood Meadows Pro patrol below treeline.

An ongoing avalanche cycle will continue near and above the rain/snow line Sunday through Monday which should fluctuate around the top of the treeline elevation band. Avoid all backcountry travel in avalanche terrain and any travel near or above treeline where it may be too difficult to assess your exposure to avalanches from above in a blizzard.

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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