Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches will be possible on Sunday. As new snow falls, wind slabs will form on northerly, easterly and southerly aspects near and above treeline. With warm temps in lower elevations, look for wet loose avalanche activity. If you see any signs of unstable snow, stick to slopes lower than 30 degrees. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With 4-6" of new snow possible on Sunday, we will see fresh wind slabs form on lee aspects primarily in the afternoon. Wind slabs will likely be found below ridgelines and features that accumulate blowing snow.  Wind slabs can also form in lower elevations zones such as burns.  

    While traveling, monitor the depth of wind deposited snow. Look for signs of wind slabs such as smooth rounded domes, pillow-like features, and rippled snow surface.  Use small, safe test slopes to look for signs of instabilities. If you see any cracking in the snow or recent avalanches, this is a sign to  avoid slopes over 30 degrees.  Remember that snow can accumulate 3-5x deeper due to wind transport. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    With snow in the forecast and a snow level around 5,200ft, we could see a rain/snow mix primarily in zones below treeline. 

    Wet loose avalanches occur when we see warm temps  that cause the snow surface to lose cohesion. This avalanche type starts at your feet and fans out as the snow entrains more snow. I expect these to be on the smaller side, but be mindful of getting pushed into consequential terrain such as trees, cliffs, creeks, etc.

    If you start to see signs of pin wheels, sinking ankle deep in wet snow, it is time to avoid steep slopes.

  • Cornices

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

    On Saturday I observed large cornices in the alpine, and I easily triggered a small cornice on an indictor slope. 

    Cornices are large this time of year. With new snow and the weight of a person, one could easily trigger a cornice, especially in low visability conditions. It is best to stay clear from below and far back from the edge of where corncies exist. Cornices often break farther back than expected. 

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday, I observed surface hoar while touring. The wind and sun has destroyed much of it, however we still might find some on shaded and wind protected northerly aspects. If surface hoar is on these slopes it may cause wind slabs to run farther and larger. It may be worth it to dig in the snowpack and perform some compression tests to look for any weak layer.

 

Regions covered