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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger a small slab avalanche within wind-drifted snow at upper elevations.  Early season hazards should be your focus below the rain/snow line. But once you encounter actively blowing snow, identify and steer around areas of wind-stiffened snow 6" or deeper forming on steep lee slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Elevated avalanche danger remains focused on the highest NWAC forecast elevations and beyond. Lowering snow levels will build fresh slabs from the highest elevations, but perhaps also into middle elevations by the end of the day. We have some uncertainty regarding the amounts of recent snowfall and rain/snow lines during the next 24 hours. Rain or rime crusts have been reported on the snow surface up to 6600 ft on Tuesday, but we have no information at higher elevations. Therefore, monitor snow depths as you ascend, so that you anticipate when drifts may be deeper than 6". Stomp on small test slopes to gauge slab reactivity and bonds with recent crusts. Signs of reactivity include cracking snow surfaces, textured snow, or fresh, sharp drifts. Heed the warnings the snow gives you and navigate around potentially wind-loaded start zones steeper than 35 degrees. 

    You can trigger a slab avalanche on upper elevation slopes beneath freshly formed, sharp cornices.

    Photo: Ryan Matz

Avalanche Discussion

More rain, snow, and freezing rain arrived at Mt Hood in time for Boxing day. A 1" breakable crust sat on the surface of the snowpack up to 6600 ft where temperatures hovered around freezing during the day. Above this elevation, shallow new snow was observed at the upper elevations of the Mt Hood Meadows ski area, with the sun forming pinwheels on some aspects. Above-freezing temperatures below 6500 ft may have softened a freezing rain crust formed on Christmas day. The surface crusts lie above several rounds of gradually consolidating wetted snow that may be 1-4" thick at this point. Since 12/24, Mt Hood has received 1-2" of precipitation, and at the highest elevations of the mountain this could have translated to significant amounts of snow. If you reach these elevations, the transition to deeper snow could be dramatic. Alternatively, you might also find slick rime crusts extending to the upper reaches of Mt Hood. If you get up on the mountain, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation.

Near and below the treeline, difficult travel conditions remain front and center:

  • Slick or breakable crusts could make travel or riding difficult. Arresting a fall may be difficult without appropriate 'sharps' for self-arrest. Carefully consider your preparedness and the consequences of a fall before crossing any steep, icy slopes.
  • Early season conditions and hazards exist at lower elevations, on wind-stripped aspects, and along ridgelines. Rocks, roots, grass, and stumps will exacerbate any fall on ice or potentially a small avalanche.

Regions covered