Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Triggering wet snow avalanches will be possible at all elevations, especially on steep slopes in the direct sun during the warmest time of the day. If you notice the surface snow beginning to feel wet or mucky, or if you see rollerballs, consider moving to more shaded slopes or lower angle terrain. Triggering avalanches in recently wind drifted snow will also be possible near treeline and above treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Most wet snow avalanches will be small, but avalanches on big steep slopes could entrain enough snow to increase in size. There will be timing involved with this problem. As the day heats up and slopes are exposed to the sun's energy, wet snow avalanches have the potential to come into play.  This problem will be more prominent  on steep slopes in the direct sun. Keep an eye on changing surface condtions. As the surface snow begins to feel wet or mucky, if you see rollerballs or pinwheels, or if you see recent wet snow avalanches, recognize these as signs this problem is in play. When you see these signs, consider moving to more shaded slopes or lower angle terrain.

    Wet slab avalanches are also possible

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Wednesday, I observed an abundance of blowing snow near treeline. By noon, there was about 4-5" of new snow at the near treeline elevations and the snow continued to fall. On Thursday, triggering wind slabs will be possible. Most wind slab avalanches will be small, but isolated terrain features that collect an abundance of blowing snow could produce large avalanches. Remember, wind can pile up snow many times deeper than the snow that fell out of the sky. 

    Below ridges and  high points are common places where wind slabs form. Be on the lookout for crossloaded slopes, where wind blown snow has moved across a slope and filled in gully features and depressions. Utilize low angle terrain or small test slopes to check depth and reactivity of wind slabs before you commit to big steep slopes. The old snow surface under the recent snow is a great reference point for checking out the depth of wind slabs. As wind deposits get deeper, avalanches can become larger. If you see cracking in the slab or recent avalanches, these are good indicators of unstable snow.

Avalanche Discussion

For people venturing into the high country to hit the big lines, remember small avalanches can still have consequences in sustained steep terrain. It does not take much moving snow to knock you off your stance on steep slopes.

There are still pently of cornices lurking around at ridgetops especially in the upper elevations. Be cautious when approaching ridgetops and avoid walking out onto a cornice. They can break under the weight of a person and send you falling onto the slope below. 

Regions covered