Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

New snow coming in on Friday along with moderate wind speeds will start building small wind slabs on lee terrain. By late afternoon, I don't expect wind slabs to be large enough to pack a punch but it will be good to monitor the depth of wind deposits. If we begin to see wind slabs exceeding 8' deep or more, then wind slabs will be something to concerned about.

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    The unlikely rating for wind slabs reflects the likelihood that this will become a problem more that it reflects the likelihood of triggering. The bulk of the snowfall is not expected to come in until mid day. By late afternoon if you observe wind drifted snow deeper than 8" then triggering a wind slab avalanche will be something  to watch out for. 

    Wind can drift snow many times deeper than the snowfall accumulation. 

    Wind slabs tend to form below ridges and high points and on other features that catch blowing snow. Look for visual signs such as pillows of wind difted snow, and a wavy or uneven surface texture to indicate a surface may be wind loaded. Recently formed cornices can also be clues that wind slabs are present. Cracking in the new formed slabs on small test slopes is a good indication that you could trigger a wind slab avalanche in the right terrain.

     

Avalanche Discussion

Small natural and skier triggered loose wet avalanches were observed from across the region over the last few days; this was cuased by the warm temperatures and sunny sky affecting the cohesion in the surface snow. As the clouds come in and new snow arrives, we will shift back to more winter like conditions.

The current snowpack in the central Cascades zone contains no notable weak layers.

Surface hoar was observed on Friday on top of the snowpack below treeline and near treeline. Much of the surface hoar was being degraded by sun and wind. We will monitor this in the coming days and observe if any sticks around long enough to get buried. 

 

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