Bollettino valanghe

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

A patchwork of stubborn wind slabs can be easily spotted where the lighter-hued snow overlies a slick, darker colored crust. Steer around the shallower peripheries of these wind deposits. Make sure you have the tools and skills to arrest a fall where surface crusts are exposed, firm, and slick.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    The last storm cycle featured plenty of WSW wind, so the degree of slab hazard is largely dependent upon the average snow depth above the recently formed crust. The patchwork of stubborn, stiff hard slab deposits overlies these crusts. These hard slabs produced cracking on low angle slopes in the Tilly Jane area on Thursday. On steeper slopes, you won't want to choose the bare ice crusts, nor should you center punch the slabs. A cautious approach is to work around the periphery of the lighter-colored cold snow areas where the firm deposits are only a few inches thick. If you aren't careful, you could trigger a slab up to size 1.5 on a steep, unsupported slope that runs a long distance on the slick crusts with the firm surfaces exacerbating the consequence of any slide. Somewhere above 8000 ft, the recent crust may thin and disappear. Carefully evaluate the slabs and their distribution if firm deposits become more prevalent throughout the terrain.

    (3/26/2026)

    Isolated cracking with uptrack tests within wind-drifted pockets. This cracking indicates that the slabs may be more reactive in this area.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

We're expecting another sunny day on Friday, but with significantly warmer temperatures. Freezing levels could approach the summit of Mt Hood. We don't expect the warm temperatures to initiate wet avalanche activity, but keep an eye out for saturated snow that wants to slide on the underlying crust. The upshot of the warm temperatures is that slick crusts may soften and provide better (and safer riding conditions). In shaded areas and before the sun hits a slope, the crusts will be firm and the potential for a sliding fall is quite real, so make sure you manage the and accurately assess your ability to arrest a fall. Areas on the south side of the mountain reported the crusts softening in direct sunshine on Thursday.

NWAC forecaster Joe Dellaport found a snowpack once he reached middle elevations in the Tilly Jane area on Thursday.  A patchwork of wind textured snow, including scour, lens-shaped drifts, and ribbons overlies a firm, 6" thick crust that provides a "new ground" above softer saturated snow. Slabs and slick crusts existed within close proximity. 

Late Wednesday's storm system brought 2-4" of snow to Mt Hood. This recent snow lands mostly on top of the newly buried 3/25 crust. At upper elevations, the fresh snow may have arrived on a new/old snow interface sitting above a crust buried as heavy rain changed (briefly at these elevations) to snow with the stronger system that brought 0.9" of water eqivalent on 3/24. At these higher elevations, more uncertainty exists regarding the depth of recent snowfall, but you're unlikely to find depths more than 6" until you ascend above NWAC forecast elevations. Ridgeline WSW winds have been moderate to occasionally strong throughout the storm cycle. 

Recent observations illustrate significant loss of snow coverage on windward aspects, along ridgelines, and at lower elevations following multiple days of warm temperatures. Recent snowfall may thinly mask rocks and other obstacles. Snow bridges have become tenuous or fully melt out in recent days. Ride with caution if you're in one of these shallower snowpack areas.

Are you heading out? Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here or on the AvyApp. 

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