Mt Hood

Generally, safe avalanche conditions exist Sunday. While temps remain above freezing, the possibility of small wet avalanches still exists. Low avalanche danger doesn't equal zero hazard; avoid extreme terrain features at lower elevations where you find wet surface snow. 

Several days of warm and sunny weather led to a natural loose wet avalanche cycle over the last few days. Sunday brings clouds and a cooling trend which should further stabilize the snowpack. Overnight Saturday, the snow may not go through a solid freeze cycle and temperatures could remain above freezing midday Sunday. This will maintain the possibility for human-triggered small wet avalanches.  Avoid extreme terrain features where you find wet surface snow. 

The last major storm event ended on February 27th with drier conditions interspersed with light snowfall events through the beginning of March.  In the upper snowpack, you can still find a distinct freezing rain crust buried on 2/22.  This layer was the last interface that larger avalanches released down to in the Mt Hood area towards the end of February and the first few days of March.  

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.