Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

We have a lot of uncertainty about avalanche conditions on the upper mountain following new snow and the recent warm-up.  Large avalanches may run from the upper mountain where the wind has drifted recent snow and cornices have likely been weakened.   At mid and lower elevations, periods of light rain and warmer temperatures will keep the wet loose avalanches in play.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Recent snow and wind may have built deep slabs on lee slopes above treeline.  Given our uncertainty following this wet and mild period, it's best to avoid steep open slopes at upper elevations until we have more clarity.   Avoid traveling on or below large avalanche paths that originate on the upper mountain on Friday. 

    If you're traveling along ridgelines, make sure to give cornices a wide berth. They may be weakened by recent warm temperatures and break back further than expected.  Cornices are a hazard in their own right and can trigger avalanches on the slopes below.

    If you're traveling along ridgelines, make sure to give cornices a wide berth.  Visibility won't be as good as in this photo. 

    Example from last season: Cornice fall triggered wind slabs up to D2 on an east aspect in White River Canyon near 6800ft Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Loose Wet

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

    Human and natural wet loose avalanches will also be possible on Friday.  You may see evidence of a natural wet loose cycle from earlier in the storm as temperatures rose and snow changed to rain.  The travel advice is simple; if you see natural wet loose avalanches or find yourself sinking into wet surface snow of more than a few inches, avoid steep slopes.  Small wet loose avalanches may gouge down to older weaker wet snow, becoming larger and more powerful.  Use extra care near terrain traps like cliffs, rocks, and other hazards that would amplify the consequences of a small avalanche.

    If more rain falls than expected, avalanche conditions will likely become dangerous with an increased chance of wet loose and wet slab avalanches.  If conditions turn wetter than expected, dial back your terrain choices and avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees. 

    If you start to see wet loose avalanches, it's time to step back from slopes steeper than 35 degrees. 

Avalanche Discussion

We have limited reports from Mt Hood on Thursday due to poor visibility and snow conditions.  About an inch of water translated into 4-6" of snow Wednesday night between 5-6000' with moderate to strong SW winds before changing to rain Thursday morning.  Mild and windy conditions continued for the remainder of Thursday. 

On Wednesday morning the Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol found stubborn wind slabs and generally an unreactive snowpack during avalanche control work. Forecaster Joe Dellaporta also found similar conditions on my calm morning tour up Timberline.  Overall, it appears the wind slabs have healed and are mostly unreactive.

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