Mt Hood

Firm, icy slopes found on all elevations and aspects are now barely submerged under shallow new snow. Use caution while traveling on or across steep slopes and consider choosing lower angle terrain with friendly runouts. Any fall could be life-threatening. 

Mt. Hood can expect 2-5" of snow to fall Wednesday night and Thursday with light winds and cooling temperatures.  Travel hazards remain a very real concern. Thick and dangerous ice crusts will be firm, frozen, and barely submerged under fresh snow that may easily slide off the crusts.  In recent days, glare ice has been exposed and visible, but on Thursday you may not be able to visually identify the most dangerous icy slopes. A report of a backcountry skier/climber who survived a ~1500' tumble over the weekend serves as a good warning to travel cautiously. Last year similar icy conditions resulted in several fatalities and serious injuries around Mt Hood. Wherever you find firm ice on or near the surface, the ability to self-arrest is paramount. Choose lower angle slopes with safe runouts to increase your margin of error. If you choose to travel on steeper terrain, expect "extremely icy conditions resulting in difficult skiing, tedious cramponing, and a low likelihood of successfully self-arresting" as described by an observer from Portland Mountain Rescue.

We don't expect significant avalanche concerns with the new snow. If we get closer to the upper end of the snowfall numbers you should start to steer around locations where you might trigger an avalanche. You could trigger very shallow loose dry avalanches on slopes approaching 40 degrees or isolated wind slabs on slopes greater than 35 degrees if winds drift snow 6" or deeper. Any shallow avalanches will run faster and farther than you expect on the old, firm crust.  Any minor avalanche concerns will be within the fresh snow.

While the upper elevation snowpack remains near seasonal norms, watch for low snow and exposed ground hazards at lower elevations.

Multiple large avalanches have been observed around Mt Hood from the significant rain event last week.  Although avalanches from this event do not speak to current conditions, they are worth retrospective consideration: (1) A very large avalanche occurred in White River and Newton Canyon and (2) observed glide cracks at these upper elevations - proof that free water was running at the base of the snowpack.

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.