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

Heavy snowfall and strong winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions on Wednesday. Wind-loaded terrain will harbor the thickest and most sensitive slabs, but instability may extend into more sheltered areas as well. Start your day and evaluate conditions in simple terrain before moving on to anything bigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Triggering avalanches within the new snow and wind-drifted snow will be a real concern after a night of heavy precipitation and continued loading through Wednesday. Slabs will be the largest and most sensitive in wind-loaded terrain; however, any steep open slope could harbor unstable slabs with the amount of snowfall in the forecast. Shooting cracks and recent avalanche activity are clear red flags to keep slope angles in check. A cooling trend should support new snow forming over a more favorable structure, though increasing chances of sun breaks later in the day could begin to stiffen or 'slab' up the surface snow. 

    Start your day with a simple plan and stick with lower-angle, wind-sheltered terrain. While you’re out, look for signs of instability by tweaking small test slopes and by digging pits to see how the new load is bonding to the old snow surfaces. Don’t ignore the obvious, like recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or active wind loading.

    (2/9/2025)

    Small, inconsequential test slopes can help provide helpful information on slab sensitivity. 

    Photo: Kyle Wyatt

  • Loose Wet

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

    As the storm starts to loosen its grip by late morning, there will be increasing chances of sun breaks that could promote wet snow instabilities on sun-exposed slopes. It won’t take much sun or warming at the snow surface for the new snow to react. Pay close attention to rollerballs, pinwheels, or sticky snow surfaces as these are precursors to larger, wet loose avalanches. Head for a shadier slope if you notice these signs. 

    (4/7/2023)

    An example of rollerballs on an east-facing slope. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

A solid spring storm will drive a significant rise in avalanche danger on Wednesday, with over 2 inches of snow water equivalent forecast from Tuesday night through Wednesday. New snow will accumulate over wet surfaces or crusts above 6000 ft. Fortunately, these spring surfaces are generally strong and will act as a supportive base as new snow stacks up Tuesday night. As a result, instabilities should remain limited to the 4/13 crust interface or within the new snow itself.

Stay tuned to changing conditions and be ready to switch gears based on what you see on Wednesday.  It could be one of those days where snowpack stability changes rapidly due to spring weather. On one slope, you could be dealing with a dry slab avalanche problem, while on the other nearby slope with more sun could be warming and a prime spot to trigger wet avalanches. Take your time making and processing observations, and pick less consequential or simpler terrain to reduce uncertainty.

If you plan to head to Mt Hood Meadows or Ski Bowl for uphill use, please remember these ski areas are now closed for the season and avalanche mitigation is longer being conducted. Treat this terrain like a backcountry snowpack and carry avalanche rescue gear.  

Are you heading out? You can help the forecast staff and backcountry community out by submitting your observation here or on the AvyApp.

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