Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

On Tuesday Wind Slab avalanches will remain possible on isolated terrain features.  Be wary of particularly steep (greater than 35 degrees), unsupported terrain on North  slopes at and above treeline.  These avalanches will be stubborn to triggering, but would be surprisingly large (big enough to bury or injure a rider).

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    No avalanches were observed on Monday.  Minimal recent snowfall and Light wind meant that new Wind Slab development on Monday was isolated at most.

    It is notable that observers digging into older wind loaded pockets continue to find reactive weak layers down 45-85 cm.  Hard snow above these weak layers means that they will be stubborn to triggering, but the resulting avalanche would be surprisingly large.  These avalanches are most likely on steep, unsupported slopes that were previously wind loaded (North slopes below ridgelines).  This is the time to identify and avoid trigger points like mid-slope rocks, trees, and convexities.

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices experienced rapid growth during the last week and remain a bit more sensitive than usual.  It's a good time to give them a particularly wide berth, and remember that cornices often break farther back than people expect.

Avalanche Discussion

12 cm. of storm snow from last weekend overlays the 1/14 rain crust.  This crust seems to exist throughout the region at elevations up to treeline.  We have no persistent weak layers present in our snowpack, and with the exception of wind loaded slopes our snowpack is "right-side-up".

It's not particularly often that I find myself doing compression tests to evaluate a Wind Slab problem, but I was today.  Observations on North slopes at treeline found that last week's Wind Slab could still prove reactive, if stubborn.  Suffice it to say these conditions are a bit unusual, since most direct action avalanche characters typically resolve themselves in a matter of hours to a couple of days.

Regions covered