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 an avalanche in wind deposited snow will be possible near and above treeline on west throught north, east, and southeast facing slopes. Triggering an avalanche on a weak layer of buried surface hoar will be possible on northerly facing slopes near and below treeline. Be cautious on steep and committing slopes where these problems exist and anytime you have uncertaintly about the snowpack, stick to lower angle slopes less than 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slab avalanches will be trending toward being more difficult to trigger but are still posible. Look for the fat pillows of wind drifted snow especially in steep and convex terrain. Use careful evaluation before committing to steep slopes in terrain that has been previously wind loaded.  The usual suspect terrain includes below ridge tops and peaks, and around features that catch blowing snow from cross slope winds. Utilize small features or low angle terrain to evaluate the wind slab problem. Anytime you observe cracking in wind drifted snow, or if you see signs of previous avalanches, these are good indicators that you can trigger an avalanche. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    We do not have a lot of observations related to this problem and it is likely patchy and isolated. However, an avalanche was skier triggered on a layer of buried surface hoar on Tuesday with with a 70 cm (28") crown on a north facing slope near treeline. Be cautious if you are planning on dropping into steep and committing slopes on northerly aspects, Find a safe location to dig and check out the snowpack. Buried surface hoar often presents as a thin line in a pit profile and can often be picked out with compression tests. The patchy nature of this problem will be tricky. Snowpack testing gives limited data and the terrain can be vast. Persistent slab avalanches have the propensity to propagate farther than our typical storm problems. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

No avalanche activity was reported on Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, surface facets and patchy surface hoar were observed on east and southeast facing slopes near treeline. When they are on the surface, it is not a problem. This is something we will keep an eye on as the next round of significant snowfall comes in on Friday and into the weekend. 

Regions covered