Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Monday Wind Slab avalanches were observed near treeline on East slopes.  These avalanches will remain likely on Tuesday on North and East slopes near treeline, and on all aspects in the alpine.  If you are venturing higher in the terrain during the clear weather, be particularly suspicious of steep unsupported slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind Slab avalanches were observed on East slopes on Monday.  Wind Slabs typically take a day or two to become unreactive, so will remain likely in steep unsupported terrain on Tuesday.

    On Monday winds from the West and SouthWest loaded snow onto East and North slopes.  The wind is forecast to decrease overnight and swing to the South and then East.  At alpine elevations this East wind may be strong enough to blow snow back onto West facing slopes.

    As is always the case with recent Wind Slabs, your best clues to where wind slabs may exist are observing:  currently blowing snow, recent cornice growth or erosion, and variable depths and textures of the surface snow as you travel across different aspects.  Cracking in smooth surface snow below ridgetops or on crossloaded features is an obvious indicator of a Wind Slab problem.

    (3/20/2023)

    R2 D1 Wind Slab on Tumalo Bowl (East 7,760 ft.)

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

Avalanche Discussion

Storm totals seem to be in the 20-25 cm. range; just enough for a nice refresh!  This storm snow overlays a variety of old snow surfaces which vary primarily by aspect.  All observed avalanches on Monday were Wind Slabs.

Regions covered