Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

No avalanches were observed on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, triggering an avalanche is unlikely except in very limited and isolated locations where the Dec 8th buried surface hoar remains intact.  It would be foolhardy to ride into new and more committing terrain without digging a profile and/or conducting relevant stability tests.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    In the majority of our terrain the Dec 8th layer of buried surface has not been a problem; it has not produced recent avalanches, collapsing, or been reactive in snow profile tests.  In very limited locations it continues to exist and pose a problem.

    What's the takeaway?  Don't forget about this layer as you may be moving into new or more committing terrain.  Use careful snowpack evaluation on features of concern, and then good travel techniques if you choose to ride.  Be most wary on steep, cold North and NorthEast slopes that are very sheltered and haven't seen much traffic.

Avalanche Discussion

A sustained period of cold temperatures have provided some fantastic riding this month.  Our height of snow is hovering around 150 cm.  We are continuing to seek out and evaluate the buried surface hoar (down 40-50 cm), but have mostly found it to be unreactive or even absent.  It has been reactive in a very limited number of profiles.

I'd like to thank everyone for submitting observations!  They are useful to both our staff, and to folks that access the Avalanche Center web-site.

Regions covered