Bollettino valanghe

Mt Hood

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

Saturday is shaping up to be a beautiful day; however, warming temperatures and clear skies will set the stage for wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes. Move to shadier slopes once you notice rollerballs shedding or wet, sticky snow under your feet or skis. As you climb above 6000 ft, look for signs of recent wind drifting and steer around pockets if they feel hollow or if you notice shooting cracks.  

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    Freezing levels are rising, and sunny skies are in the forecast, increasing the likelihood of wet avalanches. You'll initially see signs of warming and wet avalanches beneath rock bands or on steep slopes with direct sun exposure. As the day progresses, you may also notice signs of warming on east and west aspects. Most snow surfaces above 5000 ft have stayed dry and cold, so it won't take much input for the snow to react. 

    Rollerballs, pinwheels, or trees shedding snow indicate that surfaces are becoming wet and weak. Look for more shaded aspects once you start noticing these signs.

    (3/24/2024)

    An example of a wet loose avalanche in Heather Canyon.  

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    New snow and strong winds on 3/28 built 1-3 foot thick slabs on lee features across Mt Hood. Expect these slabs to be thicker and more widespread as you gain elevation. While these slabs will likely be stubborn to trigger, they could pack a punch if they do release. 

    Blowing snow may be limited thanks to lighter wind speeds, so look for textured rippled snow or sharp drifts to help you identify wind-loaded slopes. These slabs often lurk on the downwind side of ridges & canyons, below cornices, in upper mountain chutes, and beneath rock and cliff bands. You can use quick pits or small test slopes to help you gauge the sensitivity of these slabs. Pull back from wind loaded features if you notice shooting cracks or hollow-sounding snow under your feet or skis. 

    (3/28/2024)

    Shooting cracks are obvious signs that you found an unstable slab. Wind slabs were reactive near treeline at 6000 ft on 3/28. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

While it may feel like spring in the valley, winter continues to linger on Mt Hood. This past week, weather stations have picked up 20-30 inches of new storm snow, with the highest totals reported on the west side of the mountain. Saturday will be the start of a warming trend, so start thinking about wet avalanche concerns as the day heats up. 

Backcountry observers on Friday reported reactive, shallow pockets of wind-drifted snow on west aspects of the Reid Glacier. Another observer in the White River also observed lingering reactive pockets and a natural D1.5 on an east aspect at 9000 ft. The Mt Hood Meadows Pro Patrol triggered D1-D2 sized avalanches in wind-loaded terrain with explosives on E/NE aspects above 6500 ft. One of these avalanches propagated over 300 ft. 

We suspect many people will be eager to climb high on the mountain with a beautiful weekend on tap. Despite this warm and calm weather at the trailhead, you'll still encounter a winter-like snowpack with real avalanche concerns as you gain elevation. Continue to practice safe travel techniques and always carry avalanche rescue gear.

If you get out this weekend, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

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