Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions continue. Monitor snow surfaces as they thaw throughout the day. You may be able to trigger a small avalanche in slushy wet snow on steep, rocky, sun-exposed slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

The last significant storm brought 8-10in of snow from January 30 to February 2. Since then, warm, sunny days and cooler clear nights allowed the snowpack to resume another diurnal melt-freeze cycle reminiscent of the springtime. Avalanche concerns are very limited anywhere you find firm and frozen snow surfaces. As the snowpack thaws throughout the day, small wet loose activity and cornice fall may continue on the steepest, sunniest slopes. Snow surfaces may not freeze very hard overnight Wednesday with warm temperatures and less wind, and could thaw quickly on Thursday. A wet avalanche cycle has largely run its course, but consider avoiding consequential terrain where you find wet, slushy snow. 

Recent observations on Mt Hood and Mt Adams reported no new avalanches and variable travel conditions. Many wind-scoured ridgelines have melted out to bare ground, and creeks have opened up. Outside of these areas, the snowpack has been somewhat resilient to the unseasonably warm weather, and snow depths for this time of year are not too far below climatological averages. With good timing on sunny days, corn-like riding can be found on southerly slopes. Some weak snowpack structure may exist near the surface on northerly aspects at upper elevations but does not pose an avalanche concern for the time being. The mid and lower snowpack is consolidated and strong with no layers of concern.

The warm, sunny weather looks to continue through the weekend. If you head out into the mountains, several non-avalanche hazards are worth keeping on your radar: 

  • Expect firm and icy surfaces, especially in the morning hours and above the treeline. Bring the necessary tools to travel safely and arrest a fall. 
  • Rockfall and rime-ice fall continue. Be heads up for rockfall below steep, melted-out canyon walls. 
  • Creeks are open and flowing and many snow bridges have collapsed or melted out. 

Regions covered