Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Extreme winds formed very deep slabs that you can still trigger on steep rollovers, frequently well below typical start zones. Although slabs may be stubborn to trigger, full burials may result if you fail to steer around smooth or pillow-like features in upper-elevation terrain. Smaller slabs exist on exposed lee slopes even below treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Around 8" of snowfall Saturday night paired with strong to extreme NW winds to produce dangerous large (even very large) slabs and widespread sastrugi (wind-scoured snow) down to 5500 ft (below treeline). Winds and precipitation decreased rapidly early Sunday. Mt. Hood Meadows Patrol triggered at least three D2-2.5 avalanches on generally E-facing terrain. In some cases you can see the slabs gaining depth further down the slope where eddies drifted the snow more deeply. These avalanches confirm what we suspected, that these N-NW winds have caused unusual loading patterns with slabs trigger locations frequently low down or in the middle of a slope. Give them another day to settle before exposing yourself to consequential terrain. When in doubt, stick to less wind-affected snow or scoured slopes. Steer around unsupported pillow-like drifts steeper than 35 degrees. 

    With winds this strong, you'll find wind-affected snow below treeline too.  You may be able to trigger small wind slabs on open slopes at lower elevations.  Watch for shooting cracks and new avalanches as signs that it's time to step back to simpler and lower-angled terrain.  

    (1/22/2023)

    D2-2.5 (large) explosive triggered wind slabs in atypical alpine start zones low on the slope.

    Photo: Mt Hood Meadows Patrol

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    There's not much snow that hasn't been affected by the wind. However, you can still find less wind-affected snow below 5500 ft. Expect rollerballs and shallow 4-6" wet loose avalanches to follow suit with direct sunshine on steep SE, S, and finally SW slopes as the day progresses. Adjust your aspect and reduce your overhead exposure if the sun begins destabilizing the surface snow.

Avalanche Discussion

Exercise caution on Monday, choosing smaller and less consequential terrain features to navigate safely amidst an extreme wind-loading pattern. At least 3 large slabs were triggered on generally E-facing terrain at upper elevations at Mt. Hood Meadows on Sunday. Photos of these avalanches along with sastrugi extending into below treeline terrain are all present in the photo gallery.

Surface hoar was observed in some locations prior to Saturday's storm, however, the intensity of the winds with this system likely destroyed any weak grains prior to burial.

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