Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanches will be possible on Wednesday, and there is some variability across our terrain. Watch for unstable snow near ridge tops and on open slopes that hold wind-deposited snow. Cold temperatures will make "sluff" possible on steep terrain. Use careful evaluation of the snowpack's upper layers before committing to steep slopes. If in doubt, move to low angle terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Our wind slab problem is a little tricky right now because there's some variability across the terrain. On Tuesday, moderate winds packed more punch than expected at ridge tops. Wind slabs were easy to identify by their rippled snow surface, via hand shears and small test slopes, and observations of dense surface snow and blowing snow. In some areas, wind slabs were still reactive and hand shears yielded easy results. In other areas, wind slabs were soft and shallow, stubborn, and generally harder to find. Continue to monitor this avalanche problem on Wednesday, especially if you venture to upper elevations where the wind has moved more snow. Use all your tools to carefully evaluate the surface snow layers and use conservative travel techniques like avoiding convex rolls and riding one at a time. Whenever your uncertainty increases, choose simpler, low-angle terrain. 

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    With a break in the recent stormy weather, the dry loose surface snow is beginning to settle. However, cold temperatures are sticking with us through Tuesday night and into Wednesday. On Tuesday, riders were able to trigger small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain. Continue to watch for unconsolidated surface snow on Wednesday, especially below cliffs and steep rollovers. Avoid terrain traps like tightly spaced trees, cliffs, gulleys, and anywhere that moving snow could collect. 

    In some areas, storm slabs were observed on the snow surface. Keep this problem in mind on Wednesday and use tools like hand shears and the shovel tilt test, as well as crossing small test features, to determine whether the surface snow is unconsolidated (dry loose) or a cohesive layer sitting on top of weaker snow (storm slab). 

Regions covered