Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Triggering an avalanche in wind deposted snow will be possible on northerly and easterly aspects near and above treeline. Triggering wet avalanches will be possible at lower elevations as the day warms up and rain soaks the surface snow. Evaluate wind drifted snow carefully before dropping into steep terrain. As snow on low elevation slopes becomes wet and slushy move to lower angle or less consequential terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Old wind slabs formed during the last storm will be more difficult to trigger but still something to be aware of on lee slopes at the upper elevations. With a few inches of new snow coming in overnight and Thursday, new shallow wind slabs will build on northerly and east facing slopes. Use low angle terrain or small test slopes to evaluate the wind slab problem before dropping into steep terrain. Be aware of terrain traps below you and the consequence of triggering a wind slab avalanche. Most wind slab avalanches will be small, but there could be a few pockets out there that can still produce a large avalanche. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    The wet loose problem will be more of a concern at the lower elevations in the afternoon as the snow level rises to around 6400'. Areas like Santiam Pass will warm up to lower 40's F by the afternoon. This combined with rain will cause the recent snow to become wet and loose cohesion. Wet loose avalanches have the potential to entrain more snow and be larger than normal due the abundance of soft snow at the surface of the pack. As the surface snow becomes wet and mushy be cautious in steep terrain especially above terrain traps. Watch for roller balls and pinwheels as precursors the wet loose avalanches.

Regions covered