Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Significant snowfall and intense wind loading through Thursday will ratchet up the avalanche danger, particularly in exposed terrain. In wind-loaded terrain, you can trigger large slabs in start zones, on mid-slope convexities, or even low on canyon walls. Avoid all steep, open slopes on the lee side of ridges.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The storm cycle ramps up significantly Wednesday night into Thursday. We're expecting another 5-8" of snow and a period of strong winds tapering into the moderate range during the afternoon. Wind loading will be intense during the morning hours and slabs and you'll want a conservative mindset from the start of the day. During the storm, you can use fresh, sharp cornices and active wind loading tto identify the sides of ridgelines where you'll want to avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees. If you get some visibility in the afternoon, you can check for firm over weak layers. If you don't find punchy snow and propagating cracks, choose smaller features with less complexity to limit your risk. At lower elevations, slabs are likely to be more limited to exposed terrain and areas in the immediate lee of ridgelines.

    (1/22/2024)

    You might find heavy wind loading like this on Thursday morning. Snow transport like this will build wind slabs rapidly.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Most of the recent snowfall has been at middle and upper elevations due to mild temperatures limitating snow accumulation at lower elevations. Mt Hood Meadows picked up 4" of new snow in the last 24 hours at 6500 ft, and 1-3" of snow fell Sunday night. Moderate gusts of wind drifted shallow slabs, but heavy, wet snow limited transport below 6000 ft. At these higher elevations, Wednesday's snow remains available for transport as stronger winds arrive with 5-8" of snow through Thursday.

Expect a large increase in avalanche danger as you set out on Thursday. Scale back your terrain selection from prior days. If the sun makes an appearance in the afternoon, prepare for recent snow to shed off cliffs and rocks, potentially entraining enough snow to bury you in a creek or other terrain trap.

The recent storm cycle sits atop a firm, icy surfaces that remained exposed in many areas on Wednesday. Conditions should improve as new snow accumulates, but keep in mind that the snow could bond poorly to the crust and you could still take a long sliding fall in wind-scoured terrain.

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