Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The latest round of precipitation deposited around 15 cm of new snow.  Avalanches are possible on steep slopes that the wind has blown this new snow onto.  Primarily these will be Northeast and East facing slopes near treeline, at alpine elevations, or in any open terrain where the wind blows freely.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The wind on Sunday was surprisingly Light in the Cascades.  For what it's worth, some of the Mt Bachelor stations near treeline were reporting average wind speeds in the single digits, which is a rare thing.  Still, it is hard to imagine a snow storm in the Cascades without wind transport, and sure enough some windy spots like passes were reporting Moderate wind speeds.  The takeaway is that I would expect to see less wind transported snow in the mountains on Monday than usual, but I wouldn't eliminate Wind Slabs completely from my problem list.  In fact, those wind slabs that are out there might even be a little more touchy than is typical; snow that falls when the wind is calm can provide a weak layer under snow that is blown onto lee slopes afterward.

Avalanche Discussion

Oh boy does fresh snow in the trees and cold air on the face feel good!  This morning I was observing snow heights of around 45 cm. at 7000 ft.  The latest round of snowfall totaled around 15 cm. by Sunday evening.  Riding conditions are very good with the light fresh snow, but 45 cm. doesn't go very far when it comes to covering rocks and logs, so take er easy out there.

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