Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warm temperatures may produce another round of wet loose avalanches. You may find these wet loose slides on shadier slopes since freezing levels will climb to over 9000 ft. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The question mark for tomorrow will be wind speeds. If wind speeds crank, it may limit wet loose avalanches. However, if winds hold off,  freezing levels will still be on the rise and climbing to over 9000 ft for Mt Hood. So  this may create another round of wet loose avalanches.

    Don’t be surprised if you find these wet loose slides on more shaded slopes due to warm temperatures. Middle elevations will be the most capable of producing these slides since this is where the most recent soft snow exists. That being said, still keep an eye out for these above treeline, especially if a big chunk of rime or rock hits a pocket soft snow. 

    Look for pinwheels or rollerballs initiating on steep slopes as the day progresses. These are often precursors of wet loose avalanches and should be signs for you to move to lower angled slopes. 

    (2/11/2023)

    You may find rollerballs like this, which is a great indication pointing at snow surfaces  becoming weak. 

    Public Field Report: Source Lake

    Photo: Emily Murphy

Avalanche Discussion

The storm cycle on 2/7-2/8 brought up to 10 inches of new snow on a slight cooling trend to the Mt Hood zone. This resulted in a right-side-up snow structure and good riding conditions on more sheltered slopes.

Since then we’ve been in a pretty benign weather pattern.  Observers have been reporting good riding conditions on more sheltered slopes, wet loose avalanches on slopes that have a southern tilt ( Observation) , and chalky variable snow in the alpine.  

Big changes are on the horizon with an incoming cold front arriving Monday. On Sunday look for increasing clouds and ridgetop winds. Any precipitation should hold off until the late evening hours. For Monday, expect an uptick in avalanche danger. Check back for the latest information!

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