Mt Hood

The avalanche danger may be low, but that doesn't mean you can't trigger small wet avalanches in very steep, sun-exposed terrain during the heat of the day.  Move to less consequential terrain if the snowpack feels wet, sloppy, and unsupportable. Expect icy, refrozen surfaces during the morning hours or as you move to more shaded slopes in the alpine. 

While the avalanche danger may be low, still be mindful of warming-induced avalanche concerns on steep, sun-exposed terrain as the surface crust breaks down. In these areas, it may be possible for a human to push a small wet avalanche on very steep terrain during the heat of the day. Pay close attention to your boot penetration and consider moving to less consequential terrain if you’re punching past your boot-tops in wet, heavy snow. After several warm days, there may be some sagging cornices along ridgelines. Give these cornices or chunks of snow and rime clinging onto cliffs some extra space on Friday as freezing levels soar up to 11,000 ft for another day. 

Before the surface snow corns up, expect icy travel, particularly in wind-exposed alpine terrain. Come prepared with an ice axe, crampons, and be mindful of the consequences of long, sliding falls in steep terrain. 

Fortunately, there is some precipitation in store for the weekend. The system starts out warm, with high snow levels, but these trend lower through the weekend. There’s a wide range of outcomes for precipitation totals and snow amounts as the weekend progresses, so don’t get too excited yet - just be ready for changing avalanche conditions. 

You can add to the forecast. Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp.