Mt Hood
Danger d’avalanche
Points saillants
Strong winds will continue to rake the snow surface at mid and upper elevations. While it will be easy to find wind-affected snow, it's unlikely you'll trigger a wind slab avalanche. At lower elevations, avoid extreme terrain features where you find wet and weak snow.
Avalanche Discussion
It will be another day with strong E-NE ridgeline winds buffeting Mt Hood and raking snow surfaces. For terrain exposed to the wind, it will feel cooler than the freezing level and full sun in mid-April would otherwise indicate. Lower elevations and terrain sheltered from the wind will warm several degrees from Tuesday through Wednesday.
It was sunny but extremely windy on Tuesday with east to north winds gusting into the 50 to 80 mph range depending on the weather station. Before the E-NE wind event this week, extreme westerly winds on Saturday did a number on snow surfaces with sastrugi, exposed rocky ridgelines and dusty snow peppered throughout the landscape. The 1-2" of snow that fell early over the weekend did not cause much in the way of avalanche concerns. Wind-affected snow is everywhere near and above treeline but wind slabs are likely unreactive. If traveling into the alpine and above NWAC's forecast rating, take the time to evaluate the snowpack yourself.
While most cornices are not particularly large given what they can be for this time of year, where you do find large overhanging cornices, give them space along ridgelines and on slopes below. On aspects at upper elevations that are firm and icy, make sure you have to tools to self-arrest a fall before committing to the slope.
At lower elevations, use caution on very steep terrain features where you find wet snow and may trigger a wet loose avalanche. Take care navigating snow bridges over streams as they start to melt and weaken throughout the spring.
Stay tuned to the avalanche danger as temperatures warm later this week. If you're out, share what you see and submit an observation.
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.