Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Triggering an avalanche in wind deposited snow will be possible near and above treeline on Saturday. Look for visual clues of where blowing snow has been deposited and if you see signs of unstable snow such as cracking in the wind drifted snow and or previous avalanches, consider moving to lower angle slopes less than 30 degrees steep. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs that formed early in the last storm on easterly aspects are now stubborn and will be hard to trigger. More recent wind slabs on northerly and west facing slopes were created by the south, and east winds over the last day and will be possible to trigger on Saturday. Use visual clues to identify where recent wind slabs have formed. Look for pillowy drifts and wavy surface texture to indicate where wind slabs are in the terrain.

    Monitor the depth of wind transported snow. As wind deposits become deeper, wind slab avalanches can become larger. Wind slabs can be found below ridgetops, high points, and around features that catch blowing snow from cross slope winds.

    Cracking in recently formed wind slabs was observed on northerly aspects near treeline on Friday. 

     

    (2/24/2023)

    Cracking in recent wind slab on a NE aspect near treeline on Friday.

    Photo: Elliot Reed

Avalanche Discussion

We could see small wet loose avalanches on slopes in the direct sun at the lowest elevations such as Santiam Pass where the daytime high temperature is expected to reach into the low 40's F. Watch for roller balls, pinwheels, and surface snow becoming wet or heavy as a precursor to wet loose avalanches.

We could also see some very small dry loose avalanches on steep slopes where the snow is remaining cold and light. 

 

Regions covered