Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Forecast updated 07:30 AM. Adjusted the avalanche danger and removed the wet slab problem after a solid overnight refreeze.

Most of the avalanche hazard is focused on upper elevations. Steer around shallow stripes or pockets of wind-loaded snow 6" or deeper, easily identifiable atop a refreezing crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Winds were moderate to strong on the east side of Mt Hood Friday night. 2-6" of recent snow will combine with any new snow to redistribute and will remain reactive at upper elevations.  Pay attention to this problem as you begin to notice a patchwork of firmer, fresher snow drifts and exposed crust. These drifts could be reactive in areas where the deposits are 6" or thicker. You can trigger them on the downwind side of ridges or moraine features, particuarly on steep or poorly supported features even well below ridgelines. Small test slopes and quick snowpack tests can provide valuable data points about the reactivity of these slabs. Shooting cracks tell you how much a slab might propagate across a slope.

    (3/28/2025)

    Fresh wind-blown drifts alternate with older wet snow or a refreezing crust.

    At upper elevations, these drifts will be large enough to take you for a ride.

    Photo: Northwest Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The much-anticipated return to winter has been slower to materialize than we'd hoped, but it did bring a solid refreeze Friday night and "coral reef" snow texture by Saturday morning. Plan to bring the sharps if you head out early in the day. Friday's mild temperatures didn't allow much new snow to materialize below 6500 ft. These elevations picked up 2-6" of wind-blasted snow overnight.

Keep in mind that water is still percolating through the snowpack. The solid refreeze near the surface should limit the potential for lingering wet slab activity. However, if you're in an area that lacks this refreeze, large wet slabs, glides, and smaller wet loose avalanches could remain on the menu. Reduce your exposure to large avalanche slopes and overhead hazard if you encounter such conditions.

If you get out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

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