Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Wind slab avalanches will still be possible to trigger on Sunday, primarily on north, east, and south facing slopes near and above treeline. Evaluate slopes for signs of wind loading. If you observe cracking in wind deposited snow or recent wind slab avalanches, be cautious on wind loaded slopes over 30 degrees. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Sustained westerly winds on Saturday and Saturday night will have form wind slabs on lee terrain. Wind slabs will not be everywhere, so use a keen eye to look for visual clues as to where wind slabs have formed.

    Look for new cornices or a rough, wavy, or chalky texture on the snow surface to indicate where wind slabs have formed. It is important to remember that wind deposits can be many times deeper than the accumulated storm snow. Montior the depth of wind drifted snow as you move through lee terrain below ridge tops and around features that catch blowing snow. Most wind slab avalanches will be on the small side. As you observe increased depth of wind loaded snow, expect resulting avalanches to become larger. Be especially cautious on wind loaded slopes that are exposed to terrain traps.

Avalanche Discussion

As the wind backs off on Sunday you will not likely see much blowing snow. However wind slabs that formed over the last 24 hours will still be possible to trigger. 

Daytime warming on Sunday may or may not affect the snow surface. With high clouds throughout the day, the snow surface will not likely warm up enough to bring on wet loose avalanches. On the other hand, if there are prolonged sun breaks we could see the surface snow loosing cohesion and wet loose avalanches could come into play. This time of year, the sun can be intense and the surface snow can warm up significantly even when the air temperature is in the low 30s. Look for visual clues such as roller balls as a precursor to wet loose avalanche activity. 

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