Mt Hood

Sunday will be the warmest day of the year after several days of warm weather. Steer around steep slopes receiving direct sunshine where you are most likely to find wet and weak snow which could create a wet loose avalanche. Give cornices wide berth as temperatures continue to climb.

Strong E-NE ridgeline winds have impacted East South over the last few days, compacting snow surfaces and limiting warming by the sunshine.  That trend is ending and temperatures should reach the highest of the season on Sunday.

Surfaces will only experience weak re-freezes overnight and will break down quickly as the day heats up.   Where you find yourself sinking into wet snow deeper than your ankle or if you see signs of increasing instability like rollerballs or natural wet loose avalanches, move to shadier or lower angle terrain.  Don't get caught in a wet loose avalanche above terrain traps like cliff bands or open creeks.  Firm slopes you traveled on or below during the morning hours may be ripe for wet snow avalanches or cornice fall in the afternoon. 

While most cornices are not particularly large given what they can be for this time of year,  where you do find large overhanging cornices, give them space along ridgelines and on slopes below.   On aspects at upper elevations that are firm and icy, make sure you have to tools to self-arrest a fall before committing to the slope.  

Keep in mind that temperatures are rising significantly. Freezing levels will reach over 10,000 ft through the weekend. The snowpack has not had a significant warm-up like this yet. Travel in avalanche terrain with caution. Remember that NWAC's forecast does not cover the uppermost slopes of Mt Hood. Be prepared to make your own observations when traveling above 9000'. The transition from a winter to a spring snowpack does not offer the same clues that weak winter snow does. Wet loose avalanches and failing cornices are possible, but so are deeper wet slab avalanches which do not show signs of weakness until failure.

If you're out,  share what you see and submit an observation. 

This is the final full avalanche forecast product of the 2020-21 season. As our capacity thins during the warmer months, please continue to share your observations and make use of our mountain weather forecasts (daily through the end of April). From all the forecasters at NWAC, thank you for all your support that makes this product possible and we look forward to resuming full operations in late 2021.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.