Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

More rain will maintain wet avalanche concerns above 6000 ft on Mt. Hood. Continue to avoid steep snow-covered slopes with wet, unsupportable surfaces, sagging cornices, or other steep overhead features that could shed wet snow sporadically. Expect high creek crossings and challenging, lower elevation travel. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Another 1 inch of rain will fall on our saturated snowpack through Thursday. While the likelihood of triggering may have decreased, don’t underestimate steep slopes right now, especially ones that connect to larger, upper mountain features. Keep any combo of wet loose, wet slab, cornice shed, and even glide avalanches where smooth rock slabs exist under the lean, early-season snowpack on your radar. 

    There’s obviously very little or no snow at trailhead elevations, but expect this wet avalanche problem to become more prevalent as you climb above 6500 ft on steep, snow-covered slopes. Deep boot penetrations and sloppy, wet surfaces are indicators that you can trigger wet avalanches. Poor visibility should also help you plan a more conservative line on the mountain. Let the rain stop and temperatures cool before climbing or riding on steep terrain. 

    (4/22/2022)

    An example of small wet loose avalanches in Newton Creek. Small avalanches could have significant consequences when the terrain is shallow and disconnected as it currently is. 

    Photo: Ron Martin

Avalanche Discussion

It's been a wild, wet week across the region. Mt. Hood has received nearly 8 inches of rain since the start of these back-to-back atmospheric rivers. This rain event, unfortunately, washed away much of our middle elevation snowpack with the exception of previously wind-loaded, east aspects that are still holding continuous surfaces. You'll likely find a more connected snowpack as you climb above 7000 ft. 

We’re not really sure what to expect to see once the mountain comes out of the clouds. If you decide to head out, start your day with a flexible, observant mindset. Expect very rough travel, high creek crossings, and firm conditions as surfaces begin refreezing. 

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.

Regions covered