Officials issued an avalanche warning Saturday on Mount Hood, following a day of heavy snow and high winds.

The National Weather Service sent out notice following a warning issued by the Northwest Avalanche Center at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The avalanche warning is for the Mount Hood backcountry, with “high” danger above, near and below the treeline. The threat is expected to last through Sunday and into Monday.

The Northwest Avalanche Center said natural avalanches big enough to bury a person were a common sight in the Mount Hood backcountry Saturday morning. The center said more avalanches are likely to come, especially with more snow and heavy winds in the forecast Sunday.

While skiers have been celebrating the new snowfall, conditions haven’t exactly been favorable at ski areas around the mountain.

Mount Hood Meadows closed Saturday after getting gusts up to 85 mph, with sustained wind speeds in the 50s. Lifts are scheduled to reopen Sunday.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB