Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions will continue even though the storm will come to an end Tuesday. Slabs of wind-drifted snow could break several feet thick, and a chance for sunshine causes concern for wet loose avalanches. Choose simple, low-angle terrain away from overhead hazard during these dynamic conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Another 8-12in of snow by Tuesday afternoon could bring snow totals since Sunday night up to 2-3ft. Strong to extreme westerly winds will continue to redistribute the new snow into fresh drifts. The thickest and most reactive slabs will exist on leeward slopes at upper elevations, but you could trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow even below treeline. Avalanches could break on the new/old snow interface (Early April Crust) or within new and wind drifted snow. In isolated alpine areas, it's possible avalanches could grow very large and run far distances downslope. This is an ongoing and heavy loading event and the snowpack needs time to adjust. Avoid open slopes greater than 35 degrees and put a wide buffer of terrain between you and the runout of large avalanche paths. 

    (1/31/2022) Example: Very stormy weather from earlier this winter with blowing snow and significant precipitation building wind slabs.  Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Loose Wet

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

    The storm will come to an end Tuesday with a chance for clearing skies in the afternoon. Dry snow surfaces will lose strength quickly under the influence of the strong April sun. We expect wet loose activity to begin first on sunny slopes near and below treeline. The sun will have to battle cool temperatures and winds at upper elevations for one more day. And if snow surfaces don't begin to thaw Tuesday, they surely will by Wednesday with a full day of sunshine and skyrocketing freezing levels in the forecast. Watch for rollerballs, pinwheels, and snow shedding from trees and rocks. These are warning signs that conditions are ripe for wet loose avalanches. Seek out shaded or lower angle terrain to avoid the problem.

    Example photo of rollerballs and wet loose conditions you may encounter Tuesday afternoon

Avalanche Discussion

We are at the tail end of a natural avalanche cycle, and the most dangerous conditions will linger through the morning hours. Dynamic spring weather will continue to create rapid change Tuesday and through the rest of the week. Avalanches due to new snow and wind continue to drive the primary hazard for now. Concerns will transition to wet snow problems late Tuesday and certainly by Wednesday. Travel very cautiously if you head out into the backcountry in the coming days.

Mt Hood Meadows Patrol reported artificially triggered wind slabs up to D1.5 on the lower mountain Monday. NWAC staff in Mitchell Creek observed snowfall rates of over 2in an hour and blowing snow and wind-loading even in thickly treed areas. Wind-loaded test features cracked easily, and snowpack tests produced easy failures at the new/old snow interface (moist) and within new snow. Heavy snowfall and high winds forced full closures at both Timberline and Mt Hood Meadows. Steady wind speeds of 20-30mph with gusts close to 90mph were recorded at the top of the Cascade Express chair (7300ft). Blizzard conditions limited observation near and above treeline.

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