Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

On Thursday, it will be possible to trigger avalanches in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations.  If you're up high in the alpine environment, use careful snowpack evaluation before committing to slopes that are holding snow that's been deposited by the wind. If you're unsure, back off to a lower-angle slope. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Despite the mild weather this week, wind slab avalanches that are large enough to bury, injure, or kill a rider are still possible at upper elevations. On Wednesday, there was a large slab avalanche reported above treeline on an east-facing aspect. Additionally, with cold overnight temperatures preserving recent snow in the alpine, there's still enough snow available for transport. Even light winds can move low-density snow, and snow transport has been observed up high in the Three Sisters over the past two days.

    The winds have been shifting around, so if you're in the alpine on Thursday, look for wind slabs on all aspects. Wind slabs can be found on any snow surfaces that aren't scoured. Look for rippled snow texture or smooth snow surfaces with deeper snow deposits. If you think a slope might be wind-loaded, move to lower-angle terrain or slopes that have less wind-drifted snow.

Avalanche Discussion

At mid-elevations, sun and warm temperatures created a thin melt-freeze crust on all aspects on Wednesday. Avalanches at this elevation are unlikely, however, there could be lingering pockets of instability anywhere that soft, cold snow remains. Use safe travel techniques like riding one at a time in avalanche terrain and avoiding terrain traps like gullies, depressions, and cliffs. 

On Wednesday, warm temperatures created wet snow at lower elevations and on steep solar aspects, but this was not enough to create a wet loose avalanche problem that could injure a rider. Thursday's snow and weather conditions are expected to be similar. 

Regions covered