Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The danger of Wind Slab avalanches on lee slopes will increase, as the snow piles up throughout the day.  Be careful on East facing slopes at and above treeline in the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Monday will be a good day to track conditions throughout your tour.  Pay attention to how much it has snowed and where the wind is blowing the snow. 

    If you are on a dawn patrol and there is only an inch of new snow on the ground, you might find your best turns on lee slopes where the wind has blown in a bit more snow.  By late afternoon there could be well over a foot of wind loaded snow on East facing start zones, and those same areas could be quite dangerous.

Avalanche Discussion

Significant new snow will be a welcome (though perhaps too brief) return to wintry weather.  Snowfall totals should reach 15 cm. (6 in.) near the Cascade crest.  Temperatures are expected to fall after midday meaning that the bulk of the snow will hopefully come in "right-side-up".  The new snow is falling on melt-freeze crust in most areas, but it is likely that with warmer morning temperatures it should bond well (time will tell).

Regions covered