Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Don't let the good snow and sun blind you from evaluating snow and terrain carefully.  It remains possible for you to trigger a large avalanche in wind drifted snow on Sunday. Keep an eye out and avoid steep steep sunny slopes if you start seeing rollerballs or notice fresh wet loose avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Available snow from recent accumulations ( 4 in the last 24 hrs) will continue to blow around and load existing slabs on the lee sides of ridges and in the alpine.  On Friday I found these wind slabs to be shallow ( 6-12 in deep), however, with consistent moderate winds these slabs have likely grown in size and distribution in the last 24 hours.  These pillow-like slabs will likely become more stubborn to trigger as winds continue to harden these slabs. Use visual clues to identify where wind loaded slopes live.  Look for sharp cornices, wind rippled snow, or pillow-like drifts of snow.  If you start observe shooting cracks, cornices easily failing, or see recent avalanche activity- avoid similar slopes and travel in lower angled, sheltered terrain. 

    On Saturday the Meadows Patrol  triggered large avalanches ( up to D2.5) in wind drifted snow. 

    Photo: Nich Asher

  • Loose Wet

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

     Clear skies and warmer temperatures will combine to create wet snow on sunny aspects, which may lead to wet loose avalanches releasing on steep slopes.  You will most likely find these wet loose avalanches on steep southerly slopes, specifically near cliffs, rock bands, or under cornices.  Look for rollerballs or pinwheels as these are indicators of the snow surface becoming wet and weak. Consider steering around these steep, sunny aspects during the heat of the day. 

     

    (12/3/2022)

    If you see rollerballs, these are signs that the snow surface is becoming wet and weak. 

    Photo: Zack McGill- Cascade Mtn Ascents

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday, the Mt. Hood Meadows Pro Patrol triggered large avalanches with explosives (up to D2.5) in wind drifted snow.  These crowns were fairly shallow, but propagated widely across terrain features.  Yesterday I traveled into the Pea Gravel Ridge, just east of Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area and observed strong winds, active wind loading, and variable conditions below treeline.  Read my full observation here.  

Sunday will offer a much-needed break in weather, however, recent avalanche activity in wind drifted snow should keep you on your toes.  Be sure to identify these wind loaded slopes and avoid these areas if you start observing signs of instability or notice recent avalanche activity. 

Regions covered