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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Highlights

Continuing snowfall overnight and into Monday means that Wind Slab avalanches will be possible at and above treeline on Monday.  Upper elevations could have as much as a foot of new storm snow from the weekend.  On leeward East and North slopes, where the wind has deposited additional snow, Wind Slab avalanches could be large enough to bury or injure a skier.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    By Monday morning we will have received nearly a foot of new snow.  Low pressure off the coast of California will be driving the winds from the Southwest and South, which means that East and North slopes could be dangerous.  If you are venturing out to higher elevation skiing where the wind has more effect on the snow, use caution.  Evaluate East and North slopes safely on lower angled slopes (less than 30 degrees).  Evidence of Wind Slab formation includes increased depths of snow on these lee slopes, as well as cracking in the snow surface.  Recent cornice growth can also be a good indicator that the slope beneath may be wind loaded.

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday proved to be better than expected, with more snow than rain down to 6200 ft!  Storm totals from Sunday are over 15 cm.    With another 10 cm. in the forecast overnight that adds up to nearly a foot of storm snow from the weekend (higher elevations that received snow on Saturday will have even more).

Below this latest snow is a rain crust from Saturday's rain event, and in some places there is another thin crust beneath that from Friday.  The newest snow came in very warm and is doing a good job of "bonding" to these crusts.  We haven't been finding any Persistent Weak Layers in our snowpack.

Below is a snow profile from this morning on Tumalo (7040 ft. 10:00AM).  Thank you for all of the observations that folks have been submitting.

Regions covered