Mt Hood

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist in the Mt Hood backcountry. Below treeline, the snowpack has become summer-like with discontinuous coverage while wind drifts may be deep enough to trigger a small slab on a steep slope at the highest elevations. Plan for rapidly increasing avalanche danger with a major storm arriving Sunday night.

Mt. Hood experienced another warm day with temperatures quickly rising into the 30s and 40s and featuring mostly sunny skies. Warm temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine over the last several months have significantly impacted the lower elevation snowpack at Mt. Hood. NWAC forecasters traveling in White River Drainage on Friday found generally stable avalanche conditions. Snow conditions below 5500-6000 ft had deteriorated and become dirty with discontinuous snow coverage in a summer-like state and open stream crossings. Many ridgelines and sun-exposed slopes are melted out. Fortunately, snow conditions improve quickly above 6000 ft. In the transition zone, snow surfaces appear scabby with old wind drifts in a dry to wet transition and very visible on top of the dirty older snow. Above treeline, Wednesday's 1-3" of snow becomes more continuous with the potential for very isolated wind slabs above 7500 ft.  Given the warm temperatures, wet loose potential increased as the recent transitional snow became more continuous, but the risk remains limited. No new avalanches have been reported since 3/24.

We expect 1-2 inches of snowfall Friday night into early Saturday falling on a cooling trend. The snow will form shallow drifts that may be deep enough to trigger a small avalanche in very steep, rocky terrain features or just below ridgelines. Steer around wind-loaded avalanche start zones if you see signs of wind-affected snow.

In less wind-affected terrain, the new snow will form rollerballs and very shallow wet loose avalanches if sunshine makes an appearance by the afternoon. These avalanches could pick up steam and push you into undesirable terrain traps if you're at the bottom of a long steep slope at the wrong time. Use the rollerballs and sticky snow as a clue to adjust your aspect and reduce your exposure.