Mt Hood

Back country travel is not recommended above treeline at Mt Hood on Thursday. Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected in the near and below treeline.

A cool upper trough will continue to sink south over the Pacific Northwest on Thursday. West winds should begin to decrease Thursday initially in the Olympics and north Cascades. Snow showers Thursday along the west slopes should bring another 5-10 inches to the central and south including Mt Hood.

Very dangerous avalanche conditions should persist Thursday especially in the above treeline zones where new or recent storm and wind slab should be very likely. Deep natural or triggered storm and wind slab avalanches should remain within recent storm layers but could move fast. Watch for evidence of wind deposited snow or pillows. Test for inverted strong over weak storm snow and give cornices a wide margin.

Loose dry avalanches in non-wind affected terrain will be difficult to manage on steep slopes. Even a small loose dry avalanche could have unintended consequences such as knocking you off your feet and into a terrain trap.

The recent unconsolidated storm snow is now very deep in many places!. There was a snow immersion fatality in a tree well in bounds at Snoqualmie on Saturday so always travel with a partner.

The Christmas snow globe keeps giving here in the Pacific Northwest! It's gotten very deep out there including at Mt Hood. By Thursday morning NWAC sites at Mt Hood will have received about 6-7 FEET of snow in less than a week.

NWAC pro observer Laura Green was fortunately touring Wednesday in remote parts of the Mt Hood Meadows ski area and reported widespread, sensitive storm slab of 1-2 feet on north to east slopes in the 4500-6000 range.