Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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

Highlights

Triggering avalanches in wind drifted snow will be possible on any aspect near treeline and above treeline. Most avalanches will be small, but remember small avalanches can lead to higher consequences in sustained steep terrain and above terrain traps such as cliffs, rocks, and trees. If you have uncertainty about the stability of the snowpack, avoid slopes that have accumulated wind blown snow by sticking to sheltered areas or choose lower angle terrain less than 30 degrees steep. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Wednesday, I found wind slabs to be stubborn to non reactive. Even though the mountains have received minimal snow over the last few days, I still found wind slabs up to 30 cm (12") thick. There is a lot of terrain out there and some of these previously formed slabs may still be possible to trigger. A few inches of new snow may come in overnight allowing new wind slabs to build. Avalanche activity on Thursday will mostly result in small avalanches but keep an eye on those terrain features that collect more blowing snow. The wind will shift to come out of the north and new wind slabs may build on southerly aspects.....although this depends on how much snow actually falls out of the sky.  Use your evaluation skills to check on depth and reactivity of wind slabs before committing to start zones in steep and consequential terrain. The melt freeze crust formed during the sunny period last week will serve as a good reference point to monitor the depth of wind slabs. 

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