Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches will be possible on Sunday due to warm temperatures and rainfall. Avalanches will be possible on all elevations and aspects throughout our forecasting zone. Consider avoiding terrain above 30 degrees and avoiding exposure to large slopes overhead. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    With rain forecasted tonight and tomorrow, wet slabs will continue to be possible.  The snow level will be around 8,000ft and rise to 9,000ft in the afternoon. Look for signs of natural avalanches, and consider digging into the snowpack to see the depth of the recent rain percolation and/or saturated snow. Avoid any terrain where you suspect wet slab activity, and give yourself plenty of distance from large, steep overhead terrain.

    We still have the Dec 8th buried surface hoar down 40-60cm and other patchy weak layers in the upper snowpack. Overall these have been non-reactive. However, if the rain reaches these layers, they may become reactive. 

    Wet slabs form when water from rain and/or warming percolates and pools under a slab, especially at a weak layer. This can weaken the bonds of snow and release an avalanche. Wet slabs can be very destructive. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow high in the alpine is possible for Sunday. If you travel above 8,000ft you might encounted fresh wind slabs on lee terrain. Look for visual clues such as wind transport at ridgelines, deeper drifts of snow, and smooth texture surfaces. Consider avoiding wind loaded slopes, and be observant of terrain traps below.  

Avalanche Discussion

 On Saturday I found the snow surface to have rain runnels and the upper 10cm (4 inches) of the snow to be wet and saturated at 6,900ft. Rain started around noon and progressively became heavier as the afternoon continued. I found the snowpack to be between 100-150cm in the Todd Ridge area. 

Regions covered