Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Use caution on specific slopes to travel safely and enjoy the spring-like weather in December.  Warm and sunny weather will keep small wet loose avalanches in play on Tuesday on very steep southerly slopes.   Wind slabs may linger on lee slopes at upper elevations.   

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    We have another day to think about wet loose avalanches thanks to above-freezing temperatures Monday night and a sunny and warm Tuesday on tap.   

    Small wet loose avalanches are most likely below steep rocky terrain or on very steep sunny slopes.  Avoid similar slopes if you see small wet loose avalanches and rollerballs (see photo).  Switch to lower-angle terrain or change aspects if you find yourself sinking into wet, heavy snow more than a few inches.  Since most of these avalanches will be small, exercise the most caution around terrain traps, like above cliff bands and open creeks. 

    We're still dealing with an early season snowpack and at mid and lower elevations there are still plenty of obstacles (like exposed or barely covered rocks, stumps, etc) that could magnify the consequences of a small slide.  Think about small wet loose avalanches wherever you find enough snow to slide on at lower elevations. 

    (12/2/2024)

    Small rollerballs and wet loose avalanches releasing from steep rocky terrain in Heather Canyon.  Look for similar avalanche activity on Tuesday. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Even though wind-affected snow will be easy to find (see photo), recently formed wind slabs should be harder to trigger on Tuesday as we move further out from the weekend storm. 

    Continue to use visual clues like fresh cornices, and textured, firmer snow to help identify which wind-loaded slopes to use caution around.   Use small test slopes to test the bond of the new snow to the underlying crust before stepping out into bigger terrain.   

    Wind slabs have the potential to be larger and pack more of a punch at upper elevations including above NWAC's elevation bands.   

    (12/9/2024)

    Signs of recent wind-affected snow following the weekend storm were easy to find on Mt Hood Monday (rippled, textured snow, drifts behind trees and corniced ridgelines).

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

6-10" of new snow can be found above the 12/7 crust.  NWAC forecasters and pro-patrol found the new snow well-bonded to the underlying crusts.   Wind slabs were not reactive during avalanche mitigation work Monday morning.  Despite the full on sun Monday, no wet loose avalanches were reported.  That may change on Tuesday as we dial up the freezing level and temperatures and wet loose avalanches become more likely on steep sunny aspects or below certain terrain features like cliff bands.   Enjoy the sunshine during one of the shortest days of the year! 

While the upper mountain is filled in nicely, use care if traveling at mid and especially lower elevations where early season conditions dominate.  After an extended stretch of high-pressure last week, ridgelines and south-facing slopes were more exposed and rockier than in late November.  Lower elevations have plenty of rocks, creeks, and downed trees to navigate along with blown-out snow bridges from the rainfall.  Even at upper elevations, crevasses and bergschrunds may be thinly bridged or still fully open.

If you get out, we'd love to know what you see. You can submit an observation here!

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