Mt Hood
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Joe Dellaporta
Issued: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineMt. Hood typically falls apart during extended warm-ups like this. Until we see a solid refreeze, triggering wet avalanches will remain a real possibility on steep slopes that feel wet, sticky, and unsupportable. Travel early, and head for shadier slopes or lower-angle terrain once the upper snowpack feels sloppy or starts shedding downhill. Pay attention to other warming-induced hazards, such as sagging cornices and chunks of snow or rime that could peel off steep features without warning.
Avalanche Danger
Monday, April 6, 2026
8500-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-3500ft1 - Low
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
8500-6500ft1 - Low
6500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-3500ft1 - Low
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low | 2 - Moderate |  3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/4/2026)
Features like this may be excellent places to trigger wet avalanches on Monday.
Photo: Joe Dellaporta
Another warm day with minimal overnight refreeze will maintain wet-snow instabilities as the morning warms. Monday should be windier in the alpine, but it probably won’t be enough to limit wet snow instabilities on any slope that catches significant sun due to such warm temperatures. The past days have provided good feedback that triggering wet loose avalanches is possible on steep slopes where the snowpack feels unsupportable and sticky. It's been hot enough that you may find these wet snow instabilities on more shaded aspects or higher up the mountain than you normally see.
Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as classic warning signs to larger wet loose avalanches. The upper snowpack has not fully transitioned from dry to wet yet, so let sticky surfaces serve as another indicator that wet loose avalanches can be triggered. Triggering a wet slab is unlikely and very difficult to assess, but not necessarily impossible in terrain that was previously wind-loaded, especially as the snowpack transitions from winter-like to a more predictable spring melt-freeze structure.
The hot weather has also weakened cornices and widened glide cracks in some areas. Limit your exposure where you find these bigger overhanging chunks of snow, as they often fail without warning.
Forecast Discussion
Warm weather continues around Mount Hood, with freezing levels hovering near 11,000 ft. It's been a couple of days since we’ve seen a proper overnight refreeze at middle and lower elevations, with upper elevations experiencing a slightly better freeze thanks to mostly clear skies. Backcountry travelers continue to find firm morning travel in the alpine, so consider packing the crampons and ice axe for safer, more efficient travel.
As the morning warms up, expect the mountain to start shedding, and watch for wet-snow instabilities to wake up on steep, sun-exposed slopes. On Saturday and Sunday, avalanche professionals reported easily triggering small, wet, loose avalanches at middle elevations and some sunny upper elevations, and found signs of warming on east aspects at the highest elevations on Mt. Hood.
While it may feel like volcano season, the snowpack isn’t quite resembling a true melt-freeze cycle yet. If you dig down, you’ll still find dry or moist snow resting over a very stout crust that was buried on 3/31. Until the snowpack fully transitions into spring, continue to approach steep terrain with caution, especially above the forecast zone where observations have been more limited.
If you're planning on climbing or skiing Mt. Hood, consider checking out the Mt. Hood Climbing Ranger page for up-to-date condition information on the upper mountain.
Are you heading out? Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp.
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.