Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

On Friday, avalanche danger will start out low at all elevations and increase in the afternoon as new snowfall is expected. As the snow begins falling we will see wind deposited snow accumulating on northerly and easterly slopes near and above treeline.  As wind deposits accumulate, it will be possible to trigger small slab avalanches on lee slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    With 2-4" of new snow in the forecast, new wind slabs will form on lee slopes. Wind slabs will mostly be shallow and on specific terrain features that tend to catch blowing snow. Triggering a wind slab will likely result in a small avalanche, however be cautious on wind loaded slopes above terrain traps or on steep slopes where even a small avalanche can have some consequence. 

    Wind can deposit snow many times deeper than the snow that fell out of the sky. The extent of this problem on Friday will depend on how much new snow actually comes in and when it comes in. Look for blowing snow in the afternoon and monitor where wind transported snow is accumulating. As wind slabs grow deeper, resulting avalanches can increase in size. 

     

     

Avalanche Discussion

Our snowpack is generally in good shape and right side up.  We are not tracking any persistent weak layers. 

Regions covered