Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous conditions will develop as precipitation and wind ramp on Sunday. It may be easy for you to trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow at all elevations. So, consider avoiding all wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With over 1 inch of water forecasted (up to 1 ft of snow) and increasing SW-W winds, wind slabs will grow in size and distribution throughout the day. It may be easy for you to trigger a large avalanche by mid-day. 

    Look for these wind slabs to be forming at all elevations - but more specifically on the lee-side of ridges, below cornices, and on convex rolls in the alpine. As you travel, pay attention to wind direction and blowing snow- both will point at which slopes are loading up. If you see pillow-like slabs or wind-stiffened snow- you likely found a wind slab. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are in-your-face signs of instability.

    You can avoid this wind slab problem by sticking to ridges and traveling in more sheltered terrain. Don’t let a cornice surprise you either, these will likely be quite sensitive, so give these sharp drifts some space on ridgelines. 

    (1/17/2023)

    Shooting cracks - a red flag that should not be ignored.  Avoid wind loaded slopes if you notice signs like this. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

It looks like winter is finally making a comeback for the Mt Hood zone! With that, expect a healthy uptick in avalanche danger.  

For the next 24 hours, the Mt Hood area should be seeing a good dose of precipitation (1.00 + swe) and as always, more wind. These precipitation amounts could translate up to a foot of new snow by the end of the day. So, it might be possible for you to find other instabilities such as storm slabs or even loose snow avalanches in steep terrain. 

As you travel, check to see how the new snow is bonding with the old snow surface. Use test slopes or quick hand pits as tools to help you gauge how easily this new snow fails.  Be ready to adjust your travel plans to more simple terrain if you notice the new snow sliding easily or notice hard over soft layering. 

On Saturday observers reported fairly quiet conditions, warm temperatures, and 1 inch of new snow. The Timberline Ski Patrol reported finding reactive cornices and the Meadows Patrol triggered isolated wind slabs that broke 4-6” deep. 

 

 

Regions covered