Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Snowfall and wind-loading will continue Wednesday with the most dangerous avalanche conditions in leeward terrain at upper elevations. Even outside of wind-loaded areas, the 4-5ft of recent snow needs time to settle and stabilize. Be prepared for deep snow travel, and choose simple, lower-angle slopes as the snowpack adjusts to the heavy load. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Avalanches in wind-drifted snow could still break several feet thick and become large and destructive. Cornices could fall on slopes below acting as huge triggers. Even though the thickest and most reactive slabs exist at upper elevations, you may still need to steer around unstable wind-loaded features below treeline. More snow and westerly winds are on their way, and plenty of recent snow is still available for transport. Pay attention as you transition into wind-affected terrain, and look and feel for changes in snow surface texture and hardness. Avoid wind-loaded terrain 35 degrees and steeper, and don't linger in the runout of large avalanche paths. 

    Example: Fresh cornices and actively blowing snow are visual clues you can use to help identify wind-loaded slopes to steer around. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Another 4-10in of new snow over the next 24 hours will add to the 60in of storm snow Mt Hood has received since last Friday. All the new snow sits above the prominent 4/8 crust. Soft slab avalanches could break on a variety of layers within new snow. Many dry loose sluffs have been reported as well and will continue to be a concern on Wednesday. Any of these avalanches could be large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person, especially if they drag you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or into confined terrain like gullies or creeks. Give the storm snow time to gain strength, and continue to steer around rollovers and steep unsupported features at all elevations.  

    Example: Storm slab.

    Photo: Public Observation

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC is aware of a possible avalanche fatality at Mt Hood Meadows and is in communication with local authorities. You can read our full statement here.

The stormy winter weather continues Wednesday with light to moderate snow showers, cool temperatures, and westerly winds. Given all the recent snow, very large avalanches remain a possibility. Keep this in mind if you are considering crossing below very large avalanche slopes, even valley flats, connected to the upper mountain. Also, snow immersion suffocation and tree wells are real hazards in these conditions. Learn more about deep snow safety here. 

Avalanche activity has been ongoing since Saturday. Poor visibility with continued snowfall and wind have limited observations above treeline. Observers Tuesday reported challenging deep snow travel. Loose-dry sluffs were easy to trigger but didn't run far or fast. Hand pits resulted in resistant planar fractures within the top 1-2ft of recent snow.  On Monday, Mt. Hood Meadows Patrol easily triggered small-large avalanches that exhibited storm and dry loose characteristics.  NWAC staff traveled to the Mitchell Creek area adjacent to the resort and found dry, low-density storm snow with several reactive interfaces that were associated with the avalanche activity (observation). On Saturday, a public observation reported a large slab in wind-loaded terrain above Newton Creek on an E aspect.

Regions covered