Mt Hood

Although wind-affected snow remains widespread in the terrain, slabs large enough to knock you off your feet will be difficult to find. Maintain typical precautions around wind-rippled snow or wet, sticky snow more than several inches deep. In extreme terrain, a small wind slab or wet loose avalanche could help you lose control above terrain hazards such as cliffs or rocks.

A cold storm brought extreme winds and around 1-2" of new snow to the Mt. Hood area. NWAC professionals and others in the Pea Gravel Ridge area on Sunday reported settled snow averaging 1", with drifts up to 3" below very thin, fresh cornices. Sun-affected snow became sticky and wet with surficial rollerball activity. However, the snow was not deep enough to present an avalanche problem. Wind-affected snow was widespread in the terrain near and above treeline, however, slabs were hard to find and neither NWAC professionals nor Mt. Hood Meadows Pro Patrol noted signs of reactivity. In some areas, the snow was scoured to a very firm melt-freeze crust averaging 6" deep. Water has penetrated around 1 ft deep into the snowpack, with cold, dry snow below that depth.

Low avalanche danger presents an opportunity to step out and explore new terrain. Keep typical springtime caution in mind. Very steep or extreme terrain features may harbor the risk of an isolated shallow wind slab or wet loose avalanche large enough to destabilize your footing. Keep the consequences in mind before committing to these terrain features.  If you find areas where the new snow proves deeper than we expect or observe evidence that wet loose avalanches are more than 2-3" deep, you should re-evaluate the conditions, reduce your exposure to steep sunny slopes above you, and dial back your terrain selection.

Most cornices in the Mt. Hood area have been cut back, but if you find them overhanging, give them respect on the slope below. The sun has exposed rocks near ridgelines and on the south and west-facing slopes. Some of these exposed aspects generated large amounts of dust that has mixed with the surface snow, turning it brown. This dust on snow can help you to easily identify larger wind ripples where you are more likely to trigger an avalanche. At low elevations, creeks may contain significant flow and snow bridges are beginning to become suspect.

An upcoming week of mostly dry weather with gradually warming temperatures should recommence the transition from a colder layered snowpack to a wet spring snowpack. We don't expect warming to impact more than the most recent snow on Monday, but meltwater will become an increasing player as the week progresses. If you dig down in the snow, pay attention to how deeply meltwater has percolated, and please consider sharing your finding on the public observations page. This will improve our ability to forecast wet avalanche problems.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.