Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches in new and wind-drifted snow remain a concern. Be particularly cautious around east-facing slopes at upper elevations where you will likely encounter the thickest and most reactive slabs. Expect changing conditions Saturday as a warm and wet storm arrives.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You can still trigger an avalanche in wind drifted snow at upper elevations, especially on easterly facing slopes along gullies and canyon walls. Use visual clues to identify and avoid recently wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees. Pay attention as you transition into wind-affected terrain and look and feel for changes in snow surface texture and hardness. If you observe recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapses, move to wind-sheltered or lower angled terrain. 

    (12/14/2021)

    An intentionally triggered avalanche (D1) in Salmon River that broke 6-12in deep and 30ft wide in wind-drifted snow (6200ft, SE). The avalanche was triggered by a skier from a short distance away on the low-angled ridge.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall is settling and stabilizing, but could still be reactive to human traffic on steep, unsupported slopes. Any potential avalanches in recent storm snow would likely be small, and less than 1ft thick. Continue to use caution around large features, convex rollovers, and rocky outcrops. Test the snow as you travel looking for sudden or easy fractures in hand pits and snowpack tests. Travel one at a time through steeper terrain and avoid terrain traps like gullies and areas above cliffs where even small avalanches have consequences.

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood received around 8-10in of new snow since Wednesday morning, and Friday looks to dry out with high thin clouds and partly sunny skies. Expect changing conditions Saturday as a warm wet storm brings mixed precipitation with rain up to 6500ft.

Observations during the recent storm were limited, especially above treeline. Plenty of new snow remains available for transport, and westerly wind will continue to blow snow and load leeward slopes. On Wednesday, observers on the north side of Mt Hood in the Tilly Jane headwaters reported shooting cracks and unstable results in snowpack tests with sudden and propagating fractures on a layer of concern within storm snow.

With all the new snow, access increased dramatically over the past week. Before you venture into larger and less forgiving terrain, use small low consequence slopes to gather information and confirm the forecast. Even though it suddenly feels like winter, keep in mind that it’s still early season with plenty of open creeks and shallowly buried obstacles. 

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