Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

On Tuesday, avalanches remain likely on slopes where the wind has blown the latest storm snow.  This is most often on North, East, and South slopes near treeline and at alpine elevations.  These avalanches could be large enough to bury or injure a rider.  On sheltered slopes below treeline the majority of avalanches will be very small, although I can't rule out the possibility of a large avalanche on the steepest, most unsupported slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Monday I observed reactive, wind-loaded test slopes at relatively low elevations along Todd Ridge (see picture).  The slabs that I saw were up to 30 cm. deep, but I expect they could be much larger closer to treeline and above.  These Wind Slabs will take a while to stabilize.  If you choose to travel on potentially wind loaded slopes, use smaller or less steep slopes to observe the extent and reactivity of Wind Slabs.

    (2/17/2025)

    Reactive Wind Slab on a test slope along Todd Ridge (East 6,900 ft)

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs large enough to bury or injure a rider will be unlikely on Tuesday.  Any Storm Slabs I observed on Monday were shallow, 10-15 cm.  I can't completely rule out a larger Storm Slab avalanche in the steepest, most unsupported terrain.  There is a layer of weaker snow down 40 cm. from the middle of last week.  For the most part this weak layer is 4-finger hard and I haven't seen any pops or drops in my compression tests, or results on test slopes.

Regions covered