Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Shallow Wind Slab avalanches will be possible on Thursday.  These avalanches are most likely on North and East slopes at treeline and in alpine terrain.  When evaluating the hazard on a particular slope, look for signs of previous blowing snow like discrepencies in snow depth or textures as you travel over different aspects (for example:  are West slopes scoured while East slopes look deep and pillowy?).

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It will be possible to trigger a Wind Slab avalanche on Thursday.  Wind Slabs avalanches can occurr on sheltered terrain beneath ridgelines where blowing snow is deposited and forms a more cohesive slab.  They can also occurr behind mid-slope ridges on terrain that the wind has blown accross (this affect is called cross-loading).

    The Wind Slab problem didn't materialize until late in the day on Wednseday for the simple reason that it didn't start snowing until after dawn, and by evening snowfall totals only reached the 7-10 cm. range.  Overnight winds from the West and Southwest may continue to load snow onto lee features.

    While most Wind Slabs will be relatively shallow, be wary on slopes with a large fetch or upwind terrain from which to draw snow.  These slopes could hold a Wind Slab large enough to bury or injure a rider.

Avalanche Discussion

I observed Surface Hoar on North slopes on Tuesday.  On isolated slopes this layer may be preserved beneath today's wind deposited snow.  In these instances Wind Slabs may propogate wider than usual.

Regions covered