Mt Hood

Significant overnight cooling should give the snow surface a strong crust by Monday morning. The surface will soften as the sun warms a variety of slopes. If the soft slush on the surface becomes ankle-deep or thicker, you could trigger a small avalanche on a steep sun-warmed slope.

Temperatures were markedly cooler at Mt. Hood on Sunday with highs in the mid-30s to low 40s. NWAC professionals near Mt. Hood Meadows reported 2" of ski penetration on most aspects above a firm crust. This was not enough softening to create a risk of loose wet avalanches. West aspects stayed cold and firm with exposure to the wind.  The cooler weather follows 4 days with highs near 50F at 5000 ft. The warm spell formed crusts on most aspects.  The last storm on 3/28 into 3/29 dropped 6-12" of snow that has bonded well to the melt-freeze crust below. No recent avalanche activity has been reported at Mt. Hood. The most recent avalanches were small wet loose avalanches from 3/31 and 4/1.

Temperatures will start cooler than on Sunday, but afternoon highs should be similar. Full sunshine should allow E-S-W aspects to soften. If you find slushy snow you can sink into up to your ankle, you can trigger a small wet loose avalanche on very steep, sun-exposed slopes. 

Minimize your exposure to cornices if you travel on or below ridgelines. The sun has likely exposed rocks near ridgelines and on steep south-facing slopes. At low elevations, creeks may contain significant flow and snow bridges have likely collapsed.

As we continue into spring, we're experiencing a gradual transition from a colder layered snowpack to a wet spring snowpack. That transition takes place from the top down. If you dig down in the snow, pay attention to how deeply meltwater has percolated, and please consider sharing your finding on the public observations page. This will improve our ability to forecast wet avalanche problems as the spring snowpack evolves.

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.