Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

New snow and Moderate West winds have created increased danger on East slopes at treeline and in the alpine.  Assess the extent of this windloading and any Wind Slab avalanche potential on smaller slopes or slopes less than 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Tuesday the wind was consistently Moderate and gusts were Strong.  Strong winds mean the snow is often lifted higher into the air and may be deposited in unusual or variable patterns.  Really the best way to assess the extent of wind loading is by traveling or viewing a variety of aspects on smaller features or slopes that are less than 30 degrees.  Feeling snow textures and noting ski penetration will give you good clues at to where the wind has deposited the snow.

    Wind deposited snow can be 3-5 times as deep as the new snow in an area that isn't wind affected.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent slab avalanches on the Dec. 8th buried surface hoar are unlikely.  We haven't seen any for the past 10 days.  Nonetheless it is important that riders look for and assess this layer before riding steep sheltered terrain, particularly where there hasn't been previous traffic.  In most places we've been finding it 40-60 cm. beneath the snow surface.  It makes sense that it is most reactive in tests in those locations where it has been most apparent and visible in snow profiles.  The compression test is my tool of choice for evaluating this potentially weak layer.

Avalanche Discussion

It was nice to see some new snow today even if it was being whipped around by the wind.  Our height of snow has continued to hover around 150 cm.  We have been continuing to find the Dec. 8th buried surface hoar, and it has been reactive in isolated tests, although there haven't been any avalanches attributed to this layer since the last storm.

Regions covered