Avalanche Forecast

Avalanches are unlikely today. No significant avalanche problems exist in this region as a result of a very strong surface crust and well consolidated snowpack.  Continue to use normal caution. Always carry a beacon, shovel, and probe and use travel practices that minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain.

There are however other travel hazards outside of avalanches to be considered to stay safe in the mountains under the current conditions.

A hard smooth surface crust has formed as of Friday and should persist Saturday following a clear cold night. A slip and fall in steep terrain above rocks or cliffs could be today’s biggest hazard in the mountains.

Sunshine and some daytime warming may help soften surface conditions on sun exposed slopes later in the day!

Temperatures dropped to the mid and lower 20's Thursday night allowing for a strong surface crust to form at all forecast elevations. 

Extended periods of very mild weather over the past week has allowed for the upper snowpack to become moist to wet to near treeline or above throughout the past week. The current cooling pattern has allowed for a solid re-freeze of the previous wet snow.

There are no known layers of current concern in the well consolidated mid and lower snowpack. 

Observations

On Friday, NWAC professional observer Laura Green traveled above Timberline into the above treeline band. Avalanches were not a concern with the presence of a thick, knife hard icy crust. The biggest danger was posed from the risk of a fall and slide on the crust. 

On Wednesday, Mt. Hood Meadows pro patrol reported that wind help keep the snow surface firm except at the lowest elevations receiving solar heating. Rain runnels were visible in the terrain up to 7300'. No avalanches have been observed over the past several days.