Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Although your risk of triggering an avalanche is trending down, any avalanche you do trigger is likely to be large. Steer around steep rollovers below ridgelines, on mid-slope features, or anywhere the snow texture suggests thicker deposits. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    It will be more difficult to trigger a slab on Sunday, but an avalanche could easily ruin your day or worse if you end up in the wrong location. Use simple slope tests to evaluate the slab reactivity. Scan the terrain for signs of wind affected snow, such as wind ripples, pillow-like drifts below ridgelines, or fresh, sharp cornices pointing toward problematic areas. You may find multiple density layers above the 12/18 crust. Where these layers grow thicker or fail in simple hand shear or column tests, you'll want to reduce your slope angle. Recognize that there may be a high degree of variability out there both across and down the slope. When in doubt steer away from wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

    (12/20/2025)

    Reactive snow on a wind loaded slope.

    Photo: Kyle Wyatt

Avalanche Discussion

Mt Hood picked up 0.25-0.5" of water equivalent (around 2-5" of new snow) over the last 24 hours. Observers noted several layers within the upper snowpack around Timberline, including firmer over weaker snow layering that had a moderate propensity to shear on Saturday. These layers will remain with us on Sunday and could be disguised by shallow amounts of new snow if any more snow falls with light winds. 

While the wind slab problem should be front and center on your mind, in sheltered terrain, you could trigger soft storm slabs or dry loose avalanches initiating in the steepest terrain. Use your favorite quick column test, check for snow that wants to entrain down slope, and also look for any sign of a poor bond with the underlying crusts. If you find causes for concern, simply avoid open slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Snowpacks are building, but they remain shallow and submerged obstacles are widespread in lower and middle elevation terrain. The recent rain crust may help, but rocks and tree stumps are poking through in places you don't expect them. Ride with extra control and discipline until we get a bit more snow. Lower elevations are just on the cusp of having enough snow for recreation with about half a foot of snow on the ground.

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

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