Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

A quick-moving storm will flip the switch from spring warmth to much colder temperatures, strong winds, and a few inches of new snow late tonight and Wednesday.  Steer around areas of firm wind-pressed snow on steep lee slopes at upper elevations.  Be prepared for a firm crust at middle and upper elevations stripped of new snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Very strong W-SW winds will easily transport a few inches of new snow late tonight through Wednesday morning, forming shallow new wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations.  Due to the strength of the winds, you may find erratic loading patterns.  New wind slabs are likely to be small, so use caution on larger slopes and near extreme features where a small avalanche could do more harm.  You can test the bond of the new snow to the underlying crust on test slopes and look for cracking in wind-affected snow as you travel.   On windward slopes, you'll find slopes stripped of new snow down to rocks or potentially a slick new crust.  Make sure you have the proper tools to arrest a fall anywhere you encounter steep icy slopes. 

    We're in for the pendulum swing associated with spring weather from one extreme to the next with a sharp cooling trend expected later tonight through Wednesday morning.  While this cool down will bring most wet snow avalanche concerns to an end, it's important to note that the wet snow in the upper snowpack below the new crust will take quite a while to refreeze.  If you find wet punchy snow lingering in isolated areas, especially at lower/mid elevations, avoid triggering a wet loose avalanche near extreme terrain features.  

    (3/29/2024)

    An observer found shallow, yet reactive pockets of wind drifted snow on west aspects along the Reid Glacier on Friday. 

    You find new shallow wind slabs on Wednesday. 

    Photo: Evan Stone

Avalanche Discussion

Professionals reported heavy, wet, manky snow on Monday and Tuesday at the tail end of our dry and increasingly warm stretch.  Strong winds were common on the upper mountain despite the mild conditions and were still moving dry snow on the upper mountain through Sunday.  Backcountry travelers noted rollerballs and generally small wet loose avalanches earlier in the warm-up over the weekend.  On Sunday, a backcountry traveler on the Reid Glacier reported a natural wide avalanche on a west aspect at 8800 ft. This avalanche was likely 1-2 days old. They also reported extreme east winds that moved significant amounts of snow at upper elevations.  

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

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