Avalanche forecast

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wind slabs remain reactive on many terrain features. Recent low-density snow masks variability created by erratic wind loading patterns, challenging you to observe using both sight and feel for wind-loaded features. When in doubt, ski safely along mellow ridgelines and choose slopes less than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Variability combined with the size of the wind slabs has us concerned. In many areas, wind slabs are healing, but it only takes one trigger point for a serious outcome. You're most likely to trigger a wind slab formed through snow transport toward the tail end of the storm cycle and as lighter winds redistribute freshly falling snow. These slabs may be small or large. On some lee slopes, they appear like a series of lens-shaped ripples and in exposed terrain, they can be triggered well below ridgelines. There's been an enormous amount of wind transport in the last week, so while we think the wind slab problem has been trending lower, take a step back and make extra sure to steer around steep, wind-loaded slopes or larger terrain features.

    (12/28/2021) Obvious wind loading on Pea Gravel Ridge. The west-facing windward aspect is scoured with exposed rock, and the east-facing leeward aspect is fat and loaded. A few inches of new low-density snow masks previous wind deposits in many other areas making them not so obvious to identify. Photo: Andrew Kiefer

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    You can still trigger a small dry loose avalanche in steep, rocky terrain features. Rocks or trees shedding snow could trigger small natural dry loose avalanches on the slopes below. In either case, if you find yourself near steep terrain, consider whether a small avalanche could push you into unforgiving terrain, such as rocks, trees, or over cliffs.

     

    Example: Snow shedding off rocks or cliffs triggering small dry loose avalanches.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Although temperatures are moderating slightly, they remain unseasonably cold. Make sure you are prepared for the conditions and think through the consequences of any accident leading to extended exposure in backcountry terrain. 

Mt Hood Meadows picked up 6" of low-density snow late Monday into early Tuesday, bringing snow totals from the last 3 weeks up to 166 inches. The most recent avalanche cycle started on 12/22 with reactivity beginning to slow down on 12/28. An NWAC forecaster was on Pea Gravel ridge where his attention was on the wind slabs near and above treeline. He noted slightly warmer temperatures and 4 ft of right-side-up snow well-bonded to the Solstice crust. 7" of settlement of the snowpack in the last 24 hours seemed to add to stability. He also found evidence for a very large (D4) avalanche coming from high on Mt. Hood and traveling a long distance into Clark Canyon. Although avalanches such as these are not currently a threat, they add to our respect for the winds and snow transport during the recent storm cycle.

Although the new snow has generally reported to be stable, there may be differences as you move around the mountain. An observation from the NE side of Mt. Hood found an interface with planar results in a column test down 27" (NNE aspect, 6300 ft). 

We expect 3-6" of snow with an incoming weak system late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. If the weather seems more intense than we forecast, dial back your terrain selection, choosing lower angle slopes and giving wind-loaded slopes a wider margin for safety. 

With all the recent snow, watch out for tree wells and keep eyes on your partners. Learn more about deep snow safety HERE.

Happy Holidays from the NWAC team and stay warm over the next week! 

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