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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Highlights

Wind slabs will build on lee slopes throughout Thursday night and Friday and will be likely to trigger. In some features, resulting wind slabs could be larger than what we normally see. The conservative choice is to avoid any wind loaded slopes over 30 degrees. Use careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making.

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    In some locations blowing snow will be blasting into the sky, while in some terrain blowing snow will be deposited deep on lee slopes. Very large avalanches will be isolated to features that catch blowing snow funnelling through narrow passes and places where wind loading could become significantly deeper.

    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. 

    Watch for isolated areas of wind loaded snow in clearings even below treeline.

     

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The new snow will be coming in cold and light. On slopes that are not affected by the wind, the new snow will lack cohesion. This will make for good skiing and riding, but will also create the potential for loose dry avalanches. Although we likely won't have the snow accumulation for these to become large, loose dry avalanches will be something to be aware of in steep terrian where loose snow can run long distances. There could be increased consequences in steep terrain where you may be knocked off your stance and around terrain traps such as cliffs and narrow constrictions.  

Avalanche Discussion

Light and cold snow is coming in and will easily be moved by the wind.

The new storm snow is sitting on a thin crust that was formed earlier in the week. Below the new snow and crust, older is snow is bonding well and we do not have any active lingering weak layers.

Friday will be cold and windy. Be cautious of the winds at ridge tops and exposed areas. The gusts will be strong enough to knock a person over.

 Fragile cornices may also be building at ridge tops.

Regions covered