Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger slab avalanches where the wind is drifting the recent snow. While these avalanches will be shallow, they could be dangerous in steep, consequential terrain. Steer around stiffer drifts of snow on steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    With increasing west winds, look for existing and newly forming wind slabs on leeward slopes above 6000 ft. While these slabs will be less than 1 ft thick, they could trigger easily if they're poorly bonded to the underlying slick crust. 

    On Mt Hood, you'll typically find these slabs on the downwind sides of ridges and canyons, below cornices, and on upper mountain chutes. Blowing snow, sharp cornices. drifts, and wind-sculpted features are obvious clues that the wind has been at work. Recent avalanches or cracking in wind-blown snow represent signs that the wind slabs are unstable. 

    You can use small test slopes like this to help you gauge the sensitivity of wind-drifted snow. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday, an NWAC forecaster on Peagravel Ridge and avalanche professionals reported about 2-4 inches of dense new snow above the snow line. They also reported small, wet loose avalanches as sun-exposed slopes warmed warming. On Saturday, the Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol reported sensitive 3-9 inch thick wind slabs in their upper elevation terrain. 

Above 7000ft, this new snow rests on a very firm, slick crust. Remember that any new snow may act as dust on crust on steeper terrain features maintaining the long sliding fall concern. If you plan on traveling in steeper terrain, be sure to still pack the crampons, ice axe, and have the ability to arrest a fall.  

The surfaces around Mt Hood are rough, to say the least. The recent warm-up has left firm surfaces in the alpine, bareground on steep west through south aspects, and wet, unsupportable snow at middle and lower elevations. 

You can contribute to the forecast! Submit an observation here. 

Regions covered