Bulletin d’avalanche

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Sat
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 7 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Triggering an avalanche is possible on wind-loaded, upper-elevation slopes or where the snow feels sticky and wet. Pay close attention to signs of recent wind loading and warming as you move from slope to slope. Use caution in big terrain where a small avalanche can be consequential. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    Moderate to strong W-SW winds have drifted recent acculations into slabs across leeward terrain features above 6500 ft. Most of these slabs will likely be small, but I wouldn't fully rule out larger releases in heavily wind-loaded alpine terrain or in isolated areas with weak snow at new/old snow interface. With the warmer temperatures, slabs may show fewer signs of reactivity. Be the most suspicious of these slabs in steep, leeward terrain greater than 35 degrees, on unsupported terrain features, or below rock and cliff bands that often collect wind-drifted snow. 

    You'll want to use visual clues to help you identify where the wind has been at work. Look for rippled snow surfaces, sharp cornices, and blowing snow to help you pinpoint nearby slabs. As you move through terrain, tweak small test slopes and use snowpack tests to gather information on slab reactivity. Cracks shooting out from your skis or feet are obvious clues that you found an unstable drift.

     

    (1/11/2026)

    A large crown from several weeks ago in upper Newton Canyon. Be most suspicious of steep, unsupported terrain like this at upper elevations. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–1.5

    Flip-flopping freezing levels, some sun, and just enough recent accumulation may set the stage for some wet loose avalanche activity in steep terrain, particularly on steep sun-exposed slopes near rocks. These won't be big, but these could run easily on the slick underlying crust. Be mindful of wet loose instabilites in consequential terrain where a small avalanche could push you off your feet. Look for rollerballs shedding, sticky snow surfaces, and sluffs fanning out below your feet as clear signs that you should stick to simpler terrain. 

    (4/4/2025)

    Rollerballs like this are signs the surface is becoming wet and weak.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

While this storm system has been light by PNW standards, it has offered the Mt. Hood area a nice refresh of 3-6 inches of dense new snow. Thursday night into Friday will bring fluctuating freezing levels, some clearing, and more light precipitation in the afternoon. With these warmer temperatures, avalanche problems may range from dry to wet, or wet-and-dry, depending on aspect and elevation. Be observant and pay close attention as you change aspects. 

Leading up to this snowfall, the Mt Hood area had a garden variety of surface conditions. Melt-freeze crusts of varying thicknesses were present on most west, south, and east aspects. Northerlies held onto dry snow surfaces with a mix of isolated near-surface facets, old firm drifted snow, and decomposing crusts. On some north-facing terrain, recent observations have highlighted weak snow surfaces, particularly in wind-sheltered, shaded terrain, and possible weak layers 1-2 ft below the snow surface in these same areas. The distributions of these layers have proven inconsistent, and rain at mid/low elevations will likely dampen remaining facets below the new snow. While triggering an avalanche on these deeper layers is unlikely during this time, it might not be impossible on colder slopes where the wind has built dense slabs over this structure.  The best strategy to deal with this uncertainty is to dig down and see how the new snow is bonding to these old snow layers. 

If you head out in the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

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