Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Monday it will be possible to trigger an avalanche on South slopes at treeline and above.  Strong North winds on Sunday created Wind Slabs on these South slopes.    Variable amounts of new snow, and increases in wind speed with elevation, mean that potential Wind Slabs could be soft or hard, and have highly variable depth.  Be suspicious of any steep, convex, South slopes at treeline or in the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Snowfall totals were highly variable throughout our region (I saw reports of anywhere from 1" to 5 or 6").  The North wind had, and was continuing to move snow onto South slopes throughout much of Sunday.  I would expect highly variable depth and consistency of wind loaded pockets with the most sensitive being right at treeline and directly below ridgetops.  Closer to the peaks we could see plumes of snow being whipped up by the wind.  It's hard to know where that snow ended up (if anywhere).  Wind slabs in the alpine are often much harder and deeper.

    There was ample evidence of wind transport on Sunday from treeline and above.  That's enough to make me cautious when approaching steep, convex, South slopes.  Cracking in the surface snow is a great clue that Wind Slabs are sensitive.

Avalanche Discussion

Any avalanche activity on Monday will be directly related to our latest new snow and wind.  We don't have any persistent weak layers of concern in our current snowpack. 

Regions covered