Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You can trigger avalanches in pockets where the wind has blown snow into 1-3 foot thick slabs on leeward features above 6000 ft. Look for clues like blowing snow, wind-rippled surfaces, or pillow-like drifts to help you identify where unstable slabs may exist. Daytime warming and possible sun breaks may moisten and weaken snow surfaces, so think about moving to shadier slopes once you notice gloppy, sticky snow or rollerballs shedding. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent new snow and strong winds have built 1-3 foot thick slabs on lee features across Mt Hood. Expect these slabs to be thicker and more widespread as you gain elevation. These slabs were quite reactive on Thursday but should start becoming more stubborn with decreasing wind speeds and less precipiation in the forecast. 

    Fortuantly, managing this problem is fairly straightforward. Be suspicious of terrain features that promote drifting. These slabs often form on the downwind side of ridges & canyons, below cornices, and beneath rock and cliff bands. If you notice blowing snow, textured rippled surfaces, hollow drum-like snow, or shooting cracks under your skis, splitboard, or feet - default to more sheltered lines. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    Freezing levels will slowly start notching up in the coming days, increasing the likelihood of wet avalanches. You'll typically notice these wet loose avalanches during sun breaks or daytime warming. Most snow surfaces above 5000 ft are dry and cold, so it won't take much of either sun or warming for the snow to react. Rollerballs, pinwheels, or trees shedding snow are good indications that surfaces are becoming wet and weak. Look for more shaded aspects once you start noticing these signs. 

    (3/26/2024)

    Rollerballs and pinwheels are obvious precursors to wet loose avalanches. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

While it may feel like spring in the valley, winter continues to linger on Mt Hood. This past week, weather stations have picked up 20-30 inches of new storm snow, with the highest totals reported on the west side of the mountain. 

NWAC Forecasters and Mt Hood Climbing Rangers traveled along Pea Gravel Ridge on Thursday. They reported reactive 6-12 inch thick wind slabs along east aspects above 6000 ft. They also found the new snow bonding well with the moist, 3/22 crust in the areas they traveled. The Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol also reported several explosive triggered wind slabs, with a couple of larger (2-3 ft crowns) artillery-triggered avalanches. These larger avalanches occurred in heavily loaded alpine terrain above 7000 ft.

If you get out this weekend, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

 

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