Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

 Watch for isolated pockets of wind drifted snow on north and easterly facing slopes near and above treeline. Isolated shallow wind slabs will be out there in the terrain below ridgetops. Low elevation areas below treeline may warm up enough on solar aspects to bring on small wet loose avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The central Oregon mountains received around 3" of new snow on Thursday. Along with the new snow we had sustatined southwest and westerly wind throughout the day. Shallow wind slabs have formed in isolated pockets of terrain. It is possible to trigger a small wind slab avalanche. Avalanches will not be large enough to bury a person, but could have some consequence in steep and committing terrain where getting knocked down could result in a long ride.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    I'm not expecting wet loose avalanches to be a widespread problem on Friday since we will get a good solid refreeze overnight with a low temperature in the low 20's overnight and a high temperature in the low 30's.  There could be some anomalies in the terrain at lower elevations where the high temperature could reach into the upper30's, such as in the Santiam Pass area, especially with direct sun on south facing slopes. I expect any wet loose  avalanches will be small (D1).

Avalanche Discussion

No avalanches have been reported in recent days.

The COAC field team has not reported any sensitive or persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Any avalanche activty will be related to surface conditions due to warming and shallow wind drifted snow. 

 

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