Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

As snow surfaces soften in direct sunshine, you could trigger an isolated small wet avalanche on a steep slope. Once you sink in up to your boot top, it's time to adjust your aspect or seek slopes less than 35 degrees. The potential for long sliding falls remains a major concern on any slope that doesn't soften in the sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    We anticipate wet snow and boot penetration to exceed the 6" threshold for wet activity once again on Wednesday in wind-sheltered locations, but increasing winds in the afternoon might limit the distribution. We also anticipate snow remaining stubborn to get moving. If you find that wet snow is starting to entrain, simply adjust your aspect and move onto lower angle slopes or move toward shaded aspects.

    Assume that snow near sun-soaked rocks is warming faster and more susceptible to wet loose activity. They may also be more impactful in steep, rocky, or extreme terrain where it doesn't take much snow to knock you into unfriendly terrain.  Steer around slopes where you find more than 6" of heavy, slush above an older crust and keep an eye on your exposure on the slopes above you.

    (1/26/2025)

    Example: A natural wet loose avalanche near Sluiskin Falls, Mt Rainier. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Long, sliding falls will continue to be your greatest mountain hazard. Expect surfaces to be the most firm during the early morning hours, with some softening in the sun as the day heats up. Pay close attention to aspect and sun angle as you plan your travel. Remember it doesn’t take much shade for surfaces to flash-freeze at the end of a January day. Having crampons, an ice axe, and the ability to use this gear properly will be absolutely necessary to navigate safely in our terrain.

As the temperatures continue to stay mild, melt-freeze cycles have brought the melt part of the equation back into the equation...at least on the southern half of the compass and depending upon timing. Observers on the south side of Mt Hood found 3-4" of boot penetration atop a firm crust in the White River Canyon on Monday and 6-8" or so on the Palmer on Tuesday. This wet snow was not entraining significantly if pushed on a steep slope. Above 8000 ft, winds kept snow surfaces firm and icy. 

We're tracking snow surfaces ahead of an incoming storm cycle Thursday night into the weekend. While not a problem right now, the upper snowpack continues to weaken during this prolonged period of high pressure.  Softer snow has been reported at lower elevations around Mt Hood. Sheltered, shaded valleys on the south side of Mt Hood have facets under a thin melt-freeze crust. On the north side of Mt Hood, 4" of sugary faceting snow exists above a crust on NE aspects at 3500 ft near Lolo Pass. This structure is not currently an issue in most places, but it could be a different story once there is a slab above. In more exposed terrain, snow surfaces vary widely between slick crusts, old wind-drifted snow, and sastrugi. In exposed upper elevation terrain on the north side of Mt Hood, scoured slopes are widespread, with pockets of softer snow.  

As this pattern continues, keep the following in mind as well:

  • Triggering a wind slab is unlikely, but not impossible. On Saturday, forecasters observed the strong NE winds drifting snow onto the upper mountain, west aspects like the  Sandy Headwall and the Reid Glacier. Moderate to strong winds were reported at Mt Hood Meadows on Tuesday morning. And light to moderate winds are expected once again on Wednesday. If you find yourself traveling at the highest elevations, still be on the lookout for wind-stiffened slabs. Surface clues like softer pockets of snow overlying firm crusts, ripples, and dunes can help you anticipate where wind slabs may lurk. 
  • Continue to use normal caution and best-practice backcountry travel techniques. Carry avalanche rescue gear and only expose one rider or climber at a time to steep, complex terrain. 

Even during long periods of high pressure, observations are key in producing a more accurate avalanche forecast. Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

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