Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering avalanches in new wind drifted snow will be possible on west, north, and east facing slopes. Monitor the depth of wind drifted snow and be cautious on sustained steep slopes and above terrain traps such as cliffs, rocks, and other features that can increase the consequence of getting caught in an avalanche. Minimize your exposure to avalanches by sticking to slopes less than 30 degrees steep.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The possible rating reflects the uncertainty on how much snow will actually fall. The best plan is to monitor how deep wind deposits become. The old snow surface (melt freeze crust) is a great reference point. As wind slabs become deeper, avalanches can become larger. The wind can deposit snow 5 times deeper or more than the accumulated storm snow.

    Most wind slab avalanches will be small. The chances of triggering a large avalanche are slim but not out of the question. Isolated terrain features may collect enough wind transported snow to build large slabs. Wind slabs tend to form on lee slopes below ridge tops, and other features that accumulate wind blown snow.

    Cracking in the new wind slab and recent avalanches are good indicators that you can trigger an avalanche. Wind slabs are most sensitive to triggering when they are fresh. 

    Archive photo

    Cracking in wind drifted snow on a convex roll

Avalanche Discussion

At low elevations around Santiam pass, monitor the surface snow during the warmest time of day especially if rain is saturating the surface snow. If the upper pack becomes wet and slushy to ankle deep or more, wet loose avalanches will be possible. 

Regions covered