Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow will slide easily above firm old surfaces creating avalanches that will be easy to trigger on slopes that are not scoured by the wind. Choose slopes under 35 degrees where you see textured snow and fresh drifts, or deeper areas of unconsolidated snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    SE winds rapidly transported new snow Tuesday night and formed sensitive wind slabs on lee slopes near and above treeline. Another round of snow Wednesday night will deepen existing slabs. The easterly component of the winds means you may find slabs in uncommon locations--pay close attention to clues of wind effect as you travel.

    Feel for firm or hollow sounding snow and watch for fresh drifts or textured surfaces as a sign of recent wind loading. Shooting cracks in the surface snow are a clear sign of instability.  Use caution when approaching open slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Slab avalanches will run easily on the icy mid-January crust and may be easier to trigger than you expect.

    Firmer wind slab avalanches like the one in this photo will be easier to trigger as the day wears on and winds continue to move snow.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Cold temperatures resulted in higher snow totals than we might typically expect from the modest precipitation we received and more cold, dry snow is on the way Wednesday night. Soft, deep snow will slide easily on the firm surfaces from mid-January that are still near the surface. Uphill travel has been challenging despite the recent coat of snow. Pockets of deeper snow will slide easily on the same crust that makes travel challenging. Steer around steep start zones (slopes greater than 35 degrees) where you find more than 8-10" of snow above the old rain crust.

Avalanche Discussion

Significant snowfall graced some slopes of the mountain a pattern that should continue Wednesday night, but an uncommon SE wind pattern means the distribution of that snow is variable. The eastern side of the mountain received more snow than the western slopes and the north side of the mountain took some of the stronger winds of Tuesday night.

Travel however is still challenging, one report described difficulty setting a fresh skin track due to the icy crust under the recent snow. The firm crust can be felt through the snow even in locations with 10 or more inches of fresh snow.

Shallow wind slabs above treeline have been running on the firm crust. The stout mid-January crust should be considered the new "ground" moving forward with a strong snowpack structure in place below this layer.  A pattern of recurring avalanches on this layer will likely be with us until a warmer storm brings snow to bond to this old icy surface.

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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