Avalanche Forecast

Light winds, mostly sunny weather and mild daytime temperatures are expected Saturday. 

Most areas do not have sufficient loose surface snow to become wet and easily available for wet snow avalanches, however, sunshine and warm afternoon temperatures should maintain somewhat of a loose wet avalanche problem on Saturday. Watch for wet snow deeper than a few inches or rollerballs or pinwheels on steep solar slopes. The problem of loose wet avalanches should not be extensive, but limit your terrain choices if you see more activity than expected.

Cornices are not listed as an expected problem, but may begin to weaken during the warmest part of the day so it's time to be practicing checking the ridges as we shift into spring.

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.

The latest snowfall in the Cascades was late last week when about 4-10 inches fell near and above treeline at Mt Hood.

This was followed by strong northeast winds in the Cascades and at Mt Hood a week ago Friday and Saturday.

By Saturday the Meadows patrol reported that the winds were so strong to have blasted the shallow surface snow to who knows where, rather than steadily building new wind slab layers.

Cooler weather on Sunday and Monday was followed by sunny and gradually warmer weather this week. Mountain temperatures were mainly in the 40's to low 50's at NWAC stations on Mt Hood Friday afternoon. This likely has stabilized any recent isolated wind slab layers that may have lingered this week.

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