Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Thursday was a down-right warm day to be on Mt. Hood. At the start of my tour at 10:00 AM the temperature was already hovering near 50 degrees at Timberline Lodge. The combination of these warm temperatures and clear skies made the snow surface moist below 7000 ft on the south side of the mountain.

I observed only a trace to 1 inch of new snow from Tuesday’s storm. The distribution of this new snow was inconsistent, with lots of wind effect present. Shallow, early season coverage still exists across much of the lower and mid mountain elevations. That being said, I was still able to link turns back to the trailhead with consistent snow in the gullies.

Surface conditions were a mixed bag of chalky wind drifted snow, firm icy surfaces, and bare ground on wind exposed features. The best skiing and areas with the most consistent snow coverage were found above 7000 ft.