Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

We are at the tail end of a major storm, and the snowpack needs time to adjust. Dangerous avalanche conditions still exist in wind-loaded areas at upper elevations. Choose simple terrain sheltered from the wind and don't linger in the runout zones of large avalanche paths. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–2.5

    The cooling trend will continue Friday night with additional snow accumulation and extreme SW winds. Fresh snow will be redistributed into reactive slabs atop a crust formed by rains on January 6th. Wind loading and slab development will be most productive overnight, with snowfall and winds tapering off in the morning and clearing skies by Saturday afternoon.

    It's possible you could encounter wind-loaded slopes below treeline. You may even be able to trigger avalanches on wind-sheltered slopes greater than 35 degrees where you find 8in or more of recent snow above the crust. There have been no recent observations above 6000ft where significantly more snow accumulated over the past few days. High in the alpine, very large avalanches breaking several feet deep are still in the realm of possibilities after such a big storm. Tread cautiously if you venture high, and be prepared to make your own snowpack assessments. 

    (1/1/2022)

    Debris in Clark Canyon from the very large natural avalanche that ran on 12/23/21.  Similar avalanches may have occurred recently.

    Photo: Mt Hood Meadow Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Over the past week, Mt Hood received 4-5ft+ of new snow, along with rain to 6000ft. Roads have been hazardous and ski areas have been forced to close at times. Over the past 24 hours, temperatures cooled with 6-8in of new snow and SW winds close to 70mph. Observations above treeline have been limited, but several rounds of natural avalanches likely occurred on the upper mountain January 3-7.  Below 4500ft, the snowpack was dramatically altered by rain on January 6-7, and wet avalanches were widespread. Rain rills dominate snow surfaces below treeline with saturated layers in the upper snowpack. Low elevation snow cover melted back quite a bit too. With cooling temperatures, snow surfaces should continue to refreeze and limit additional large wet avalanches. But, if the skies clear Saturday afternoon, don't be surprised to see a few rollerballs and wet loose sluffs on steep sun-exposed slopes.

Regions covered