Avalanche Forecast

Mostly cloudy skies, cooler temperatures and light showers forecast on Thursday should not change the otherwise low avalanche danger for Mt. Hood.  

As a result of the overall low snowpack, especially below treeline, watch for terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation.

Warm and wet southwest flow directed a series of fronts across the Northwest from about February 5th-10th.This brought less rain to Mt. Hood compared to areas in the WA Cascades but aided in further snowpack melt at lower elevations. The last weather system in the series crossed the south Cascades over a week ago, depositing over a foot of snow above treeline. Warmer temperatures at Mt Hood over the last week have allowed the most recent storm snow to settle and stabilize. 

Although temperatures have been warm the last few days, no new avalanches have been reported.  A general melt-freeze cycle has ensued with solar slopes softening during the day. 

The mid and lower snowpack at Mt Hood should consist of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this winter.