Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Your chances of triggering an avalanche will increase throughout the day Saturday as new snow and wind form fresh drifts. Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected by afternoon in wind-loaded alpine terrain. Pay attention to shifting winds and thickening slabs, and choose lower-angled terrain sheltered from the wind to reduce your risk.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    After a mostly cloudy night, snowfall should resume Saturday morning with 4-8in of new snow expected by late afternoon. The wind direction will shift 180° with moderate easterly winds in the morning and strong westerly winds by afternoon. With plenty of snow already available for transport, these shifting winds could create wind slabs on a variety of aspects and in unusual locations, even below treeline. Thicker slabs formed throughout the past week of heavy snowfall are still healing, and a fresh crop of slabs will likely form Saturday. Pay attention to changing conditions throughout the day. By afternoon, identify and avoid slopes 35 degrees and steeper with evidence of wind-loading like cornices, textured surfaces, and hollow-sounding snow.

    (4/13/2022)

    A shooting crack in a small cornice formation in Sand Canyon (E, 5800ft)

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood received nearly 80in of snow over the past week, and the cold, snowy weather looks to continue. If we hit the high end of forecast precipitation amounts for Saturday, keep loose snow avalanches in mind and be leery of steep unsupported features even in nonwind-loaded areas.

After 3-5in of snow accumulated overnight Thursday, Friday brought a relative lull in avalanche danger and weather with waves of clouds, very light snow showers, and some sun. No new avalanches were reported since early Thursday when Mt Hood Meadows patrol triggered a few large wind slabs with explosives in easterly upper elevation terrain. Brief clearings over the past 2 days caused minor loose wet activity and left a thin crust on sunny aspects. Loose-dry avalanches and storm slabs have been reported as well, but have been small and shallow. All the new snow has settled to 4-5ft and sits on the prominent 4/8 crust. Recent storms really built up the snowpack and improved low elevation coverage, and snow depths on Hood are 106-110% of normal for this time of year.

NWAC is aware of a possible avalanche fatality at Mt. Hood Meadows on 4/5. We are actively working with local authorities to gather more information about the incident. This incident involved a solo snowboarder and a multi-day SAR effort. You can read our initial statement here. We will update the statement early next week (week of April 18th). 

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