Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Another round of wet loose instabilities will emerge on slopes with soft snow that catch significant sun. Use caution around sagging cornices and be on the lookout for lingering pockets of unstable wind-drifted snow on isolated, shady terrain features in the alpine. Scoured, icy surfaces remain a significant hazard above 6000 ft. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Temperatures will remain warm which will maintain wet loose instablies on slopes holding soft snow at low and some mid-elevations that catch significant sun. There are many scoured, crusted-over slopes the higher you climb, so these surfaces should limit wet loose instabilities. Head to more shaded slopes or lower-angled terrain once you notice rollerballs shedding or if you find yourself sinking past your ankles in wet, sloppy snow. 

    Additional Discussion: With the warm temperatures, use caution around cornices. These will likely become weaker and more susceptible to failing on days like this. 

    (3/22/2022)

    Cornice failures can trigger wet avalanches on warm days. Use caution in steep, sunny terrain like the  White River Canyon or similar terrain. 

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Friday marks the third day of significant warming and the warmest day of the week. The warm temperatures and strong  February sun should help solar aspects soften nicely by late morning or early afternoon. However, keep in mind that snowpack is still incredibly variable as you climb into upper elevations. Observers continue to report widespread firm surfaces above 6000 ft. Lots of scoured ice, wind-sculpted surfaces, and old smooth pockets of drifted snow exist. Come prepared with traction and the ability to self-arrest before climbing into steep, consequential terrain. 

If you look hard enough, you can still find pockets of old wind slab peppered through the terrain at upper elevations. These slabs should be settling out, but that may not be the case on all slopes or in upper mountain gullies and features that are more prone to drifting. Be on the lookout for dune-like slabs that may also sound hollow like a drum under your feet or skis. Give these stiff pockets a good stomp or dig down to look for instability before committing to steeper lines. In previous days, NWAC forecasters found these slabs to be poorly bonded to the underlying  2/24 crust from our atmosheric river. You can check out that full observation here. 

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