Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

For Saturday, human triggered avalanches will be possible. Look for wind drifted snow on lee slopes near and above treeline. Clues such as cracking, wind textured surface and blowing snow will help identify wind slabs. If you see signs of unstable snow and/or have uncertainty in the snowpack, move to lower angle slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With 2-5” of new snow forecasted and snow available for transport, fresh wind slabs will build throughout the day. Surface hoar has been observed throughout our terrain, primarily in some wind protected and shady areas. Surface hoar may cause wind slabs to propagate farther than expected.

    Look for wind slabs below ridgelines, areas that catch snow and even lower elevation open zones (i.e. burn zones).  Strong to extreme winds will create wind slabs lower down on slopes and possibly in unusual locations.

    Carefully evaluate the snowpack and look for clues of wind slabs such as blowing snow, textured snow surface, pillow-like features and cracking in the snow. I often use small and safe indicator slopes to assess for instabilities. Be mindful of terrain traps such as cliffs, gulleys, trees. Even a small avalanche in and around a terrain trap could lead to worse outcomes. If you find any signs of unstable snow, move to slopes under 30 degrees. Remember that wind can blow snow 3-5X times deeper than the amount that fell from the sky.

Avalanche Discussion

We have had several days of warm and sunny weather. Sunny slopes have developed a melt freeze crust and "tree bombs" (the snow in trees) were falling the past few days due to warming temperatures. North facing aspects are still holding unconsolidated powder. Surface hoar has been observed in open/wind protected and shady areas. The sun has melted much of this on sunny slopes and hopefully the wind will destroy more.  

Regions covered