Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Stormy weather, very strong winds, and warm temperatures will lead to dangerous avalanche conditions Monday around Mt Hood. This will not be a day to try and thread the needle through avalanche terrain. Best to stay off of all steep open slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Very strong and gusty winds will easily build deep firm slabs on the lee sides of ridges and any exposed feature. Actively blowing snow should make this problem pretty “in your face,” and tell you which slopes, features, and aspects are likely wind-loaded. Steer clear of these spots and any other steep area below cornices or where you find firmer slabs. Some of these avalanches may fail above you with little or no warning. 

    Given the strength of the winds, we don’t anticipate much non-wind-affected snow. However, if you find that elusive wind-sheltered terrain, you could still encounter slab avalanches. This storm is warmer and should bring with it more dense snow. Use small slopes and up-track tests to see how the snow reacts. If it cracks or fails in blocks, stay off of any slope greater than 35 degrees.

    (3/4/2023) Blowing snow, drifts, and textured surfaces indicated wind slabs would be near by. Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

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

    This storm should bring rain and wet heavy snow into the bottom of the near treeline band. Expect natural loose wet slides at these mid and lower elevations. Rain, rollerballs, and fan-shaped debris piles are all simple clues that these avalanches are likely. Avoid traveling on steep slopes, especially those that end in nasty areas like creeks, gullies, or cliffs. 

    While we think most of the wet avalanche activity will be loose slides, there are buried older weak layers to worry about. If water reaches these deeper interfaces it could result in wet slab avalanches. This problem is notoriously difficult to forecast. If you see slab avalanches at these lower elevations, dial it back and stay away from areas where avalanches can start, run, or stop

    (1/13/2023)

    Example: A pile of wet avalanche debris from earlier this season. 

    Photo: Trevor Kostanich

Avalanche Discussion

By Monday morning Hood will be in the middle of a significant winter storm. Warm temperatures, very strong winds, and moderate precipitation should make things dangerous right off the bat. Even though this isn’t a particularly large or incredibly warm storm, these are some of the highest snow levels we’ve seen in quite some time and big divergence from the recent weather pattern. The snowpack rarely likes big changes, and this could be one of those. 

Recently the snowpack has been very dry and cold, even at low elevations. While the storm snow settled some over the past few days, travelers observed generally right-side-up conditions. A notable avalanche occurred Wednesday (3/8) near Bennett Pass (N, 5400ft). This slide failed on buried surface hoar at the 3/2 interface. While we think this weak layer is spotty, rain at these lower elevations could quickly bring these isolated areas to life. Prior to this storm, the 3/2 interface could typically be found 2-3 ft below the surface.  

Given the warm windy weather conices could grow large and fail. While dangerous enough on their own, they may also trigger avalanches on the slopes below. Don’t spend any more time than you need to under these potentially ticking time-bombs.

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