Mt Hood

Given the icy state of the snow surface, it will take more than warmer temperatures and light winds to create much of an avalanche hazard. Instead, travel conditions should shape your plans. Expect very firm and slippery slopes where simple slips could result in long falls.

The snowpack is pretty “locked up.” Wednesday’s slightly warmer temperatures, light winds, and sunny skies won’t cause that to change. Multiple freezing levels could leave you shivering at the trailhead, but dress in layers. Temperatures will warm higher up the mountain and later in the day.

Not surprisingly, travel conditions continue to garner all the attention. The most dangerous issue continues to be “slide for life” conditions on smooth icy slopes. In these spots, a small slip can quickly become an uncontrollable fall. In other areas, irregular surfaces, scoured slopes, frozen blocks of ice, and a few discontinuous pockets of dry snow exist. Make sure you have the tools, training, and time to manage the potentially hazardous travel challenges. 

If you’re heading higher on the mountain, don’t assume the Low danger extends above our forecast area (8500ft). At higher elevations, you might find an isolated pocket of wind drifted snow. These firm wind slabs could be hard to assess and may take you for a nasty ride. Avalanche professionals on the north side of the mountain Tuesday photographed blowing snow along exposed ridges. After so many dry days, how is there still snow left to blow around? We don’t know, but it demonstrates what a different world it can be high on Hood. 

At lower elevations and in steep southerly terrain the surface may soften slightly. Pay attention to what’s above your head. Blobs of snow might shed from steep rocky faces during the heat of the day. Similarly, it’s unlikely, but if you find wet snow deeper than your ankle head for less sloppy slopes. 

There’s not much going on down in the snowpack, but at the surface, weak snow (surface hoar and near surface facets) has been reported. This isn’t an issue today, but is worth tracking as we patiently (or not so patiently) await our next storm.