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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Highlights

On Thursday it will be possible to trigger a slab avalanche in wind drifted snow. As new snow comes in along with westerly winds, be cautious of triggering a wind slab avalanche on north, east and south facing slopes near and above treeline. Most avalanches will be small, however be cautious in steep and committing terrain, and above terrain traps such as cliffs and other features that can increase the consequence of being caught in an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Most of the wind slabs formed during the last storm are trending toward stubborn to non reactive to triggering. There could be a few lingering pockets of wind slab on isolated terrain features that could still go, but I suggest paying more attention to new wind loading as the snow begins falling on Thursday. West winds will be moving snow as soon as it hits the ground. The incoming storm could drop 2-4" of snow by the afternoon and wind slabs will build on north through east and south aspects near and above treeline. 

    Look for wind slabs building below ridge tops, peaks and around features that catch blowing snow from cross slope winds. Most wind slab avalanches will be on the small side, however monitor the depth of wind deposited snow. As wind slabs become deeper, resulting avalanches can become larger. 

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday, I found the recent storm problems to be abating near and above treeline on southeast, east, and northeast aspects. No new avalanche activity was observed or reported. The nature of the northwest maritime snowpack is that things change quickly. With our winter time storms, the avalanche danger rises as the snow falls and tends to decrease with time after the snow ceases. Wednesday gave us a short break between low pressure systems. Looking ahead, more snow is on the way and along with it, new weather and snowpack conditions. 

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