Mt Hood

Low avalanche danger exists in the majority of the Mt Hood region, but you may still encounter hazards. Steer around shallow drifts that may form near ridgelines on the western slopes of Mt Hood. The snowpack remains saturated at lower elevations, so be mindful of steep overhead terrain including cornices.

Sunday brought a shift to cooler temperatures with light snowfall above a 5000 ft rain/snow line with an inch or so of accumulation expected above 6000 ft. Snow water equivalent (SWE) ranges from 0.06" at Timberline to 0.29" at Ski Bowl. The Mt Hood Meadows precip gauge didn't record the steady, very light precipitation estimated at 0.1" SWE reported by Pro Patrol. The accumulations have focused more on the western slopes of Mt Hood. This area should continue to benefit from a trickle of additional snowfall on gradually lowering snow levels Sunday night and Monday. Visibility limited visibility into upper elevation terrain, but winds were generally light around Mt Hood Meadows and light to moderate at Timberline.

In areas receiving 2" or more of snowfall, moderate WNW winds will redistribute the shallow snowfall to the lee sides of middle and upper elevation ridgelines. In these regions, it's not out of the question that you will encounter slabs large enough to take you for a small ride on Monday. Use a pole or probe to gauge the depth of the new snow above a refreezing March 2nd crust. Choose small leeward test slopes to gauge the depth of the new snow and reactivity of the slab. Once the slabs exceed 6", a firm deposit could take you for a ride. Actively blowing snow can help you identify the slopes you'll want to steer around.

Wet avalanche problems could still linger into Monday at lower elevations where temperatures still haven't fallen below freezing. Be mindful of steep, rocky terrain and areas that have received recent rain on snow. Blocks of snow could still fall on a steep slope. 

Sunday featured a better overnight refreeze, but slopes softened to produce corn-like riding conditions at middle elevations as light snow fell during the day. Friday and Saturday were similar, with wet, manky snow at middle and lower elevations. On Saturday, an observer on Pea Gravel Ridge found large cornices and was able to initiate rollerballs in the heavy, wet surface snow. On Friday, NWAC forecasters found excellent riding conditions on sun-drenched slopes at upper elevations with 4-6" ski penetration by mid-day.  You can see photos from this time frame in the gallery.

During the recent "heat wave", freezing levels probably reached the top of Mt Hood proper early Saturday and we'll have crusts near the snow surface on most aspects moving forward. Observers reported widespread firm surfaces above 6000 ft heading into last weekend. Come prepared with traction and the ability to self-arrest before climbing into steep, consequential terrain at these higher elevations.

You can contribute to the avalanche forecast! Submit an observation here.