Avalanche Forecast

Generally light winds and warmer temperatures are expected Monday as freezing levels rise to 8000-9000 feet. 

As a result, small loose wet avalanches are possible in isolated terrain Monday, generally steeper solar slopes near and above treeline in the late morning or early afternoon hours.

Also, give cornices above treeline, even if small relative to this time of year, a wide berth with the warming temperatures Monday. 

Due to the low snowpack, especially below treeline, watch for terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation. Many areas below treeline do not have enough snow (new or existing) to pose an avalanche hazard. 

Since the wet start to February, fair weather through mid-February has lead to generally thick surface crusts and further consolidation of the snowpack, as well as further deterioration of the snow cover below treeline.

A few weather disturbances passed through in NW flow aloft the latter half of the week, bringing an inch or two of new snow near and above treeline for Mt. Hood. 

On Saturday, NWAC observer C.J. Svela was on the south side of Mt. Hood traveling in the near and above tree-line zones out of Timberline. He found overall low avalanche hazard, a firm surface on the upper mountain, and the solar effects limited by moderate NE winds. Check out his photos on Instagram.  

Mt. Hood Meadows reported early Sunday morning that although E-NE winds were strong, there was minimal snow available for transport even on the upper mountain. 

The mid and lower snowpack at Mt Hood snow consists of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this winter.