Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Winds have blown from multiple directions in the past days, so don't be surprised if you find pockets of wind drifted snow as you change aspects on Tuesday. Steer around these wind-drifted slabs if you notice shooting cracks or audible whumphs. If new snow starts falling, look for shallow, fresher slabs forming on leeward slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Some notable, large natural avalanches have been reported in the past few days (observation here and here). The forecast team is unsure what these avalanches failed on, but most have occurred in heavily wind-loaded alpine terrain. Many of these wind slabs will likely be stubborn and difficult to trigger but could be very consequential if caught. As snow starts falling Tuesday afternoon, look for shallow, fresh slabs forming on leeward slopes. These newer slabs could be sensitive since they'll develop over a rain crust in many areas. 

    Winds have blown from multiple directions (including from the east) in the past days, so don't let your guard down as you change aspects. As you travel, use visual clues to help you identify where the problem exists. Look for blowing snow, pillow-like slabs, or sharp drifts to help you spot where wind slabs could lurk. As always, pump the brakes and default to less exposed terrain if you notice shooting cracks or hollow-sounding snow under your feet or sled. 

    (1/14/2024)

    A large natural avalanche in upper Clark Canyon on a SW aspect @ 7500 ft.

    HS-N-R3-D2.5-U

    Photo: Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday will be a transition day before precipitation starts trickling in during the later afternoon hours around Mt Hood. This new snow will be welcome as it starts covering up the variable surfaces across the zone, but be on the lookout for a significant spike in avalanche danger on Wednesday. 

As snow starts falling, it's good to think about what it's falling on and how it will bond moving forward. So here's a quick run down based on elevation. Above 5000 ft, backcountry travelers have been finding a widespread thin freezing rain crust extending to 8500 ft. Below 5,000 feet is a totally different story, though. Most folks have been enjoying better travel and 'blower' conditions thanks to the inversion. Notably, these elevations have also been exposed to frigid temperatures and clear skies for almost 48 hours now which likely have weakened surfaces. Observers in neighboring zones have already reported a fresh crop of surface hoar and in some cases, near-surface facets. This type of weak snow could be the layer avalanches fail on come Wednesday.

 The 6-8 ft of new snow from this last week sits on a crust buried January 4th that did hold some weak snow on more shaded aspects above 6000 ft. This weak layer was likely responsible for the close call on Pea Gravel Ridge last week when backcountry skiers unintentionally triggered a D 2.5 hard slab (avalanche observation here). Since then, no known avalanches have failed on this layer, but it is worth keeping in mind as new snow accumulates. Just north of the Mt Hood zone, numerous very large natural avalanches have failed on a similar crust. 

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation!

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