Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is trending downward into Sunday.  Today Wind Slabs were becoming more stubborn but were still reactive and will linger into tomorrow.  The steepest, sunniest slopes may warm up enough that we see some surface instabilities.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Wind Slab problem is receeding as we put time between us and our most recent storm.  The strong westerly winds moved the bulk of the snow that there was to move, and many west facing slopes are scoured back down to last week's rain crust.  

    I found test slopes to be reactive this morning, and as folks venture out into the high country tomorrow Wind Slab avalanches are still possible.  If you coose to ski up high on East slopes, start your day conservatively and work into the steeper terrain if conditions warrant.

    Wind Loaded test slope at Potato Hill, 4500 ft. East

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Forecasted highs above freezing, clearing skies, and light winds mean that Sunday could be warm and the surface snow on south faces will start melting.  While I think Loose Wet avalanches are unlikely, I do expect low elevation south-facing slopes will show signs of instability like rolleralls and pinwheels, and small Loose Wet avalanches aren't out of the question.

    These instabilites will first present out of the steepest terrain and often emanate from rocks and trees.

Avalanche Discussion

The Central Oregon Cascades received approximately 45 cm. of storm snow in our latest storm.  The new snow was accompanied by Strong and Extreme winds from the West, and this wind affect is the predominent theme to our snowpack right now.  Some West facing slopes are stripped of storm snow and down to last weeks rain crust.  Of course that means that on other slopes that crust is way down there!  We aren't tracking any persistent weak layers, and all of the recent avalanche activity occurred in the storm snow.

Regions covered