Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The wind was moving a lot of snow on Wednesday and new wind drifts were building slabs on lee slopes primarily on northerly and easterly aspects near treeline and above treeline. Triggering avalanches will be likely in recently wind drifted snow and avalanches can be large. Lingering weak layers in the upper snowpack will make triggering avalanches in the recent storm snow possible. Avoid wind loaded slopes and be cautious in steep, convex, and unsupported terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    On Wednesday I found large cornices in places where I don't often see them. It is possible for some of these overhanging cornices to break off naturally. Do not linger underneath large cornices and definitely avoid stepping out onto one. 

    (3/19/2025)

    Cornices were actively growing on Wednesday. They were easy to break off under the weight of a skier. I also saw some evidence of natural cornice breaks.  East aspect, near treeline.

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Blowing snow was prominent on Wednesday. Wind slabs were building. The tricky nature of wind slabs was evident....in some places they were easy to trigger and on other slopes they would not move at all. Do not get lulled into false confidence if you do not see signs of unstable snow such as cracking or recent avalanches. Just a slight change in aspect can make all the difference on some days.  More snow will come in overnight and on Thursday combined with moderate winds out of the southwest and west. Wind slabs will continue to build. Some isolated features that collect a lot of blowing snow will have the chance to produce large avalanches. 

    (3/19/2025)

    Skier triggered wind slab on Wednesday. Size 1, SE aspect, near treeline. This was on a small slope. Larger slopes would have the chance to produce larger avalanches. 

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Typically our storm slab problems recede pretty soon after the storm ends. On Wednesday I found some lingering weak layers in the recent storm snow that would give me pause for jumping into big steep terrain. One in particular was down 50 cm. New storm slabs may build over the next day depending on how much snow actually comes in. Be cautious around and above terrain traps. Steep convex trigger points are the prime places to trigger storm slabs. 

    (3/19/2025)

    The storm snow from the last week has undergone quite a bit of settlement. However there are still some lingering weak layers. I found one prominent weakness in the upper pack down 50 cm (20"). 

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

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