Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

On Monday it will be possible to trigger an avalanche in wind blown snow.  Be careful of deeper pockets of snow that have blown in directly below ridgelines and beneath cornices.  Look for clues as to how much the recent snow has been blown around; if you are seeing wind scoured slopes, there is likely an opposite facing slope where that snow was blown to and could produce an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As of Sunday evening, it is snowing in the mountains and we've already picked up several inches of new snow.  The wind forecast is for Calm and Light winds, but it is hard for me to imagine snow falling at upper elevations under perfectly calm conditions.  Wouldn't that be great!  Likely winds will be at least Light near treeline and in the alpine.  This would lead to somewhat predictable loading patterns with wind deposited snow immediately to the lee, or downwind from features like ridge tops.  Look for signs of wind transport like "scallop" marks on windward slopes, and then smooth pillowy textures on the leeward slopes.  Another easy clue is variable depths of the new snow with shallower snow on windward slopes and deeper deposits to the lee.  Making observations on slopes that are less than 30 degrees or on small pieces of terrain is your safest bet.

    Remember that wind deposited snow can be 3-5 times as deep as what's accumulated in sheltered meadows and glades.

Regions covered