Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind slabs will build on lee slopes throughout Friday night and Saturday and will be likely to trigger. On some features, resulting wind slabs could be large. The conservative choice is to avoid any wind loaded slopes over 30 degrees. Use careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The wind will continue moving snow into Saturday and building wind slabs. Wind slabs are most sensitive to triggering while they are being formed and up to a day or two after. Wind slabs were reported as easily triggered on Friday near treeline, and I expect the same for Saturday. Watch for isolated pockets of wind slabs below treeline in clearings and in places where the wind is moving snow.

    Look for visual signs such as pillows of wind difted snow, and a wavy or uneven surface texture to indicate a surface may be wind loaded. Recently formed cornices can also be clues that wind slabs are present. Cracking in the new formed slabs on small test slopes is a good indication that you could trigger a wind slab avalanche in the right terrain. Wind slabs often form below ridge tops, high points, and features that catch blowing snow. 

     

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The new snow is coming in cold and light. In areas with little wind affect on the snow, small dry loose avalanches will be possible especially in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday there were reports of easily triggered wind slabs on north NE facing slopes near treeline. The wind has affected snow below treeline in places where it usually does not. Clearings, glades, and areas of sparse trees had wind affected snow on Friday. Although wind slabs below treeline will be isolated and small, it is something to watch for.

By Friday afternoon, the region had 20-30 cm of new storm snow sitting on the 02/22 crust.

Regions covered