DANGER: Avalanche warning issued for Mount Hood

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Northwest Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning for Mount Hood, the west slopes of the Washington Cascades and the Stevens and Snoqualmie passes until 6 p.m., Thursday.

There is a high chance for avalanches occurring on Mount Hood between 8,500 and 5,500 feet of elevation during the avalanche warning.

“Heavy snow combined with strong to extreme winds will create very dangerous conditions,” the Northwest Avalanche Center warns. “Avoid all avalanche terrain at middle and upper elevations or where very large avalanches could descend to lower elevations and valley bottoms. Stick to densely forested slopes and non-avalanche terrain.”

Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling or any other kind of recreational snow activities are considered extremely dangerous for Mount Hood’s avalanche terrain Thursday. These backcountry trails are closed at Mount Hood ski resorts.

“Entering this closed avalanche terrain is extremely unsafe,” the Mt. Hood Meadows ski report states. “Consequences for closure violations may include loss of [lift tickets or passes] for the remainder of the season and criminal trespass procedures.”