Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

New storm snow with strong west winds will be forming windslabs over a variety of surfaces that may not bond well.   The old surface snow was a mix of ice, rain crusts and even some surface faceting in windprotected shaded slopes.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong west winds will be moving and loading snow to leeward slopes and onto a variety of terrain features on all aspects.   Use lower angle slopes and snowpack tests to evaluate how the new snow is bonding to the old bed surface.  Avoid slopes above terrain traps and stay clear of runout zones.  East facing slopes at ridgetops and wind pillows just below newly formed cornices will be especially vulnerable to windloading.  

Avalanche Discussion

This powerful little storm will give the mountains some much needed snow.  Every inch is welcome!  After nearly two weeks of high pressure, the snow surface is a mix of rain crust and some isolated areas of sugary faceted snow on shaded/windprotected slopes.   The new snow and forming windslabs may not bond well to either of these surfaces.  Even thin windslabs might run fast on the firm bed surfaces.  Carefully evalauate the bonding and avoid steep windloaded slopes. 

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