Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Anticipate dangerous avalanche conditions following a period of extreme winds and new snow.  Keep it simple and avoid traveling on or below steep wind loaded slopes near and above treeline Wednesday.  While sticking to the trees sounds like a good plan, you still need to think about triggering a wind slab avalanche on open slopes below treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wednesday will be a good day to stay off and away from slopes steeper than 35 degrees near above treeline.  Blowing snow may make it difficult to safely navigate without trees for reference.  Extreme winds on Tuesday afternoon and night may have created unusual loading patterns or formed wind slabs further downslope than usual.  While human-triggered avalanches are likely, large natural avalanches near and especially above treeline aren't out of the question.  Strong west winds will continue to move snow and load lee slopes all day.    

    While sticking to the trees sounds like a good plan, you still need to think about triggering a wind slab avalanche on open slopes below treeline.  Even a small avalanche could rake you through tight trees or off a cliff.  Check the bond of the new snow to refreezing old snow surface. If you see shooting cracks in the wind-stiffened snow or see recent avalanches, move to lower-angled and/or more sheltered terrain.  

    (12/9/2022)

    Look for wind lips, new cornices, and other wind-sculpted features along ridgelines to give you clues regarding which slopes have been loaded.

    Conditions are likely to become more dangerous as you transition out of the trees into more open terrain. 

    Photo: Mitchell Barton

Avalanche Discussion

It was a wild one weather-wise at Mt Hood on Tuesday.  Rain changed to snow as snow levels fell during the day, wet snow surfaces were refreezing, and 6-10 inches of new snow had accumulated between 5000-6000' by 6 pm (drifting made exact totals difficult).  To top it all off, wind gusts had exceeded 100 mph at 6500' on Tuesday afternoon!  Ski areas closed early due to the wind Tuesday, limiting observations. After several days of mild weather with a focus on wet snow problems, we are quickly shifting gears and thinking about how the new snow will bond and how much will stack up by the end of Wednesday. 

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

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