Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Large avalanches will remain likely on Sunday. Wind drifted snow near and above treeline will be the main problem. Look for clues of instabilities such as wind loading snow, cracking, and recent avalanches. If you find yourself in deep, unconsolidated snow, be cautious of dry loose avalanches. Use conservative decision making, and if in doubt, stick to slopes under 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Saturday I was able to trigger small wind slabs on north facing lee slopes at Santiam Pass. Some of the crowns were shallow while others were up to 20” tall.

    For Sunday, wind slabs will continue to be likely on northwest, north, northeast, east and southeast slopes near and above treeline. Wind slabs often form below ridgelines where large drifts of snow have developed. Wind slabs can also form on features that collect snow and/or at lower elevation zones where the wind has moved snow (i.e. burned forest). Look for clues such as textured snow surface and pillow-like features. I often use small and safe indicator slopes to assess for instability. If you see recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, or have uncertainty in the snowpack, move to slopes under 30 degrees.

    With plenty of snow available for transport and more snow forecasted, wind slabs will continue to build. Remember that wind slabs can accumulate 3-5x deeper than the snow totals that have fallen.

  • Loose Dry

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

    On Saturday I was able to trigger some small dry loose avalanches on steep slopes. With so much recent cold snow, large dry loose avalanches will continue to be possible on Sunday.

    This avalanche problem occurs within the layers of surface snow due to a lack of cohesion. This avalanche starts at a point and entrains more snow as it slides down. These are most common on steep slopes and often start directly below a rider. I suspect most of these avalanche will be small; however, you could find large dry loose avalanches on specific slopes. Be mindful in and around terrain traps that can make the outcome of a small avalanche worse (gully, cliff, trees). 

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday I was not able to find any storm slabs; however, there have been a few reports of this avalanche type. If you start to find cohesion to the upper snowpack and/or cracking, move to lower angle terrain. These avalanches often start at steep rollovers (convexities). I often use shovel tilt tests and/or indicator slopes to help identify this avalanche problem. 

In addition to the avalanche hazards listed, be aware of tree wells and snow immersion suffocation (SIS). With recent significant snowfall and cold unconsolidated snow, skiing with a friend and sticking close together (when it makes sense) can provide a significant level of safety, specifically in forested areas. 

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