Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind slabs will be the primary concern on Monday. Wind slab avalanches will be possible to trigger. For people venturing into the higher reaches of the Cascades, evaluate lee slopes carefully before dropping in.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With about a foot of light snow over the last 3 days, there is the potential for a lot of wind transported snow. Watch for wind slabs below ridgetops and features that collect wind blown snow. Look for visual clues such as pillows of wind difted snow, and a wavy or uneven surface texture . Recently formed cornices can also be clues that wind slabs are prsent. If you see cracking in the surface snow or experience hollow sounds on the surface, these are signs to move to lower anger terrain and/or avoid loaded slopes. 

Avalanche Discussion

We are lacking observations from the near treeline and above treeline elevation zones and we don't have a good handle on how the wind has redistributed snow at these elevations.

The primary avalanche concerns in the short term will be related to surface condtions and wind distributed snow.

Monday, wraps up our 4 day stretch of forecasts. The next forecast will be issued for Friday, Dec 18. In the mean time, we encourage people to submit observation posts to the COAC website. 

Regions covered