Mt Hood

Minimal avalanche concerns exist in the Mt. Hood area on Sunday. Cooling temperatures should create firm conditions during the morning hours with softening as the day progresses. If the snow surface becomes sticky or you break through a crust, you could trigger a small avalanche on a steep sun-warmed slope.

After a week of mostly sunny weather with highs near 50F at 5000 ft Wednesday-Saturday, the upper snowpack at Mt. Hood appears to have stabilized nicely.  The last storm on 3/28 into 3/29 dropped 6-12" of snow that has bonded well to the melt-freeze crust below. The warm weather and sunshine in the past week produced generally small avalanches (D1-1.5) on E-S-W aspects on Wednesday and Thursday, but a solid overnight refreeze Thursday night limited avalanche activity on Friday. Despite a shallow overnight refreeze, no new avalanche activity was reported on Saturday.

Cooler temperatures and cloud cover (with a chance of snow flurries) should help reduce the risk of loose wet avalanches on Sunday.  However, if you experience the snow becoming wet or sticky and you're sinking in up to the top of your ankles, expect to be able to trigger a loose wet avalanche on steep slopes. Adjust your aspect and reduce your slope angle if you find these surface conditions in your terrain. Fresh avalanche activity may also indicate a greater avalanche danger than forecast.

As we continue into spring, we're experiencing a gradual transition from a colder layered snowpack to a wet spring snowpack. That transition takes place from the top down. If you dig down in the snow, pay attention to how deeply meltwater has percolated, and please consider sharing your finding on the public observations page. This will improve our ability to forecast wet avalanche problems as the spring snowpack evolves.

Minimize your exposure to cornices if you travel on or below ridgelines. The sun has likely exposed rocks near ridgelines and on steep south-facing slopes. At low elevations, creeks may contain significant flow and snow bridges have likely collapsed.

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.