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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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering avalanches in wind drifted snow will be possible near treeline and above treeline. You can minimize your exposure to these avalanches by sticking to wind scoured slopes or by staying on low angle terrain. Be aware of rocks and other terrain traps below you that can increase the consequence of getting caught in an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The wind slab problem will not be everywhere; isolated pockets of terrain will have the potential to create avalanches. Exisiting wind slabs will be trending to be more difficult to trigger, but still something to keep in mind. This requires you to investigate and look for where windslabs are lurking. The high alpine terrain will have more chance for avalanches. Utilize small test slopes to check for depth and reactivity of wind slabs before committing to steep slopes. Remember that deeper wind slabs can result in larger avalanches. 

    A few inches of incoming snow on Thursday will contribute to new shallow wind slabs. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

Low elevation areas around Santiam Pass could get rain on Thursday. At these elevations there is currently very minimial snow depth. I am not adding wet snow avalanche problems but there is a chance for some wet loose avalanches sliding down to the dirt and rocks.

Be cautious around cornices at the mid and upper elevations. Avoid walking out onto a cornice and taking an air drop to the slope below. 

Regions covered