Avalanche forecast

Newberry

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanches are likely on Sunday in the Newberry area, as snow continues to accumulate and get blown around from strong winds. These avalanches are most likely on open East - North facing terrain, at and above treeline where wind has deposited recent snow. Look for snow blowing off of ridges and new cornice development as visual clues to where the snow is moving. Avoid smooth, pillowed snow surfaces on this terrain where the slope is steeper than 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    I observed several crowns on steep east facing terrain in different zones of Paulina Peak on Saturday, which shows that there are current instabilities in the snowpack on wind loaded terrain. With over 2' of snow over the last three days, there is clearly a high amount of snow available for wind transport. With winds forecasted to remain strong through Sunday, wind loading and avalanche start zones could be lower on the slope than you may think. Look out for any red flags such as shooting cracks, and test small indicator slopes before stepping out to any bigger terrain, with extra caution around any terrain traps (chutes, gullies, above trees and cliffs).

    (12/28/2024)

    Small wind slab triggered by a snowmobile on a crossloaded slope off of the obsidian flow

    Photo: Ryan Marvin

Avalanche Discussion

Temperature swings during the snowfall of the last couple days has resulted in small density differences within the new snow and recent reports of an "upside down" snowpack. That being said, relatively warm temperatures and a precipitation lull most of the day Saturday seemed to have settled any lingering storm slab problems. Despite this, the sheer amount of new storm snow still demands careful assesment in any terrain that is steep enough to avalanche (ie > 30 degrees).

Regions covered