Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Saturday, human-triggered avalanches will be possible where the wind has created drifts of snow. These slabs can often be found below ridgelines and areas that catch snow. You can significantly reduce your exposure by traveling on ridgelines or lower-angle slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Friday, I observed a very small skier triggered avalanche on an east aspect of Tumalo bowl. With 4" of new snow on Friday, wind slabs will continue to build into early Saturday morning. Wind slabs often form below ridgelines, areas that catch snow, and on slopes where the wind can freely move snow. Look for clues such as wind-textured snow, pillows of wind drifted snow, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches. Use caution around wind loaded slopes 30 degrees or steeper. If in doubt, move to lower angle terrain and/or wind scoured slopes. Don't forget that the wind can create slabs many times deeper than the amount of snow that fell. 

    Here is a picture of a small skier triggered avalanche in the Tumalo bowl.  

    Photo: Elliott Reed

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, we found cornices actively building. Although the cornices we observed were small, they were easy to trigger. Avoid walking too close to these features, as they often break back farther than expected.

Despite our recent storm snow, we still have a very shallow snowpack. At 7,100ft I found the height of snow to be about 12" (this was 5" of new snow sitting on old snow grains). There are still many exposed hazards, such as rocks, logs and exposed creeks, that make riding very hazardous.  If you do travel in avalanche terrain, these exposed hazards can make the outcome of an avalanche even more dangerous. Keep this in mind when deciding where and how to travel on Saturday.

 

Regions covered