Avalanche Forecast

Cool northwest flow and orographic snow showers are expected on Thursday.

New snow can be very touchy after spring storms due to increasing spring sun or solar effects and warmer daytime temperatures. And there has been a lot of snow near and above treeline lately at Mt Hood.

Large or very large loose wet avalanches near and above treeline are likely due to the new snow and sun or solar effects. Increasing spring sun or solar effects can rapidly activate loose wet snow and result in a dramatic increase in avalanche danger.

Large or very large new or recent wind slab is likely near and above treeline on lee aspects. Moderate to strong west winds are likely at Mt Hood on Wednesday so wind slab is most likely on NW to SE aspects but watch for it on other aspects in areas of varied terrain.

Large or very large new or recent storm slab is likely in areas near and above treeline that had rapidly accumulating new snow.

The active late season pattern continues in the Pacific Northwest!

Last week from Monday 4/17 to Thursday 4/20 the NWAC weather stations at Mt Hood picked up 1 - 2 inches of WE. Much of this WE fell as snow above about 6000 feet.

A short break was seen last Friday.

The current storm cycle began on Saturday. For the 4 days ending Wednesday morning NWAC stations at Mt Hood had 3-4 inches WE. Much of this WE has also fallen as snow above about 6000 feet.

Note that this will be a lot of new snow for this time of year especially at Mt Hood!

Recent observations

NWAC observer Laura Green did a short tour at the closed Meadows ski area on Monday and turned in an observation via the NWAC Observations page. In windy conditions she visited E-SE slopes in the below tree line. She found wind loading to E slopes and about 12 inches of rapidly accumulated snow that was resulting in touchy storm slab and a high danger.