Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

On Tuesday I am expecting generally safe avalanche conditions.  Avalanches remain possible on isolated terrain features.  We have limited observations from the highest elevations, and small pockets of Wind Slab may exist below ridgelines at alpine elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    I hesitate to even include the Wind Slab problem, but this is the one to watch out for if you are taking advantage of some nicer weather to get up high.  It is likely that Wind Slabs formed above the rain/snow elevation on Sunday.  With generally warm temperatures and lighter winds I am anticipating that any would be relatively quick to resolve themselves.  Nonetheless, it would be foolhardy to charge onto a steep, smooth slope that may be wind loaded without first doing a little investigation.  Any lingering Wind Slabs would exist below or behind ridgelines at alpine elevations.

Avalanche Discussion

Our snowpack remains shallow.  Today I found rain runnels in Tumalo bowl from yesterday's stormy weather.  Warm temperatures today were melting the surface snow to near treeline elevations, and after a cold night I am expecting a melt-freeze crust.  The bottom 10-20 cm. of the snowpack remains a mix of melt-freeze crusts and melt forms. 

Regions covered