Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind Slab avalanches will continue to be possible on slopes that Strong winds have blown snow onto.  Most Wind Slab avalanches will be relatively shallow, but on isolated slopes they could be large enough to bury or injure a rider.  If you are riding up high on Wednesday, use smaller or less steep slopes to evaluate the extent of wind blown snow before committing to steep or unsupported terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Tuesday, I observed Strong West winds and Intense blowing snow at treeline elevations.  Given the relatively light amounts of new snow during the past few days, I was a little surprised to find 20 cm thick Wind Slabs on East slopes.  In some spots, these more recent Wind Slabs overlaid older and harder Wind Slabs from Sunday.  The combined depth was 40 cm. and although the older Wind Slabs felt stubborn, I could still find weak snow beneath them. 

    If you choose to ride on slopes that may be wind loaded, it is worth doing some investigation.  I found pole probing and hand shears to be effective tools on Tuesday.

    The location of Wind Slabs above assumes that the forecast of Light winds overnight and Wednesday comes to pass.  If the winds reach Moderate speeds, they may redistribute snow across aspects as they swing around the East side of the compass.

Regions covered