Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Mar 4 – 5, 2022Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Isolated wind slabs in the upper elevations above treeline will be possible to trigger on Friday. Avalanches will be small but something to be aware of in steep and committing terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Small, shallow wind slabs will be lurking in the upper elevations. The 3 to 5 inches of storm snow in the last day had just enough wind above treeline to move it around. Triggering a wind slab on Friday will result in a small avalanche, but that could have some consequence in steep terrain. Look for recently formed cornices, and  pillowy, wavy, or chalky surface texture to indicate where wind slabs have formed.

    COAC observers did not find any wind slabs or blowing snow near treeline on Thursday.

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, COAC observers found small (D1) wet loose avalanches to be easily triggered on a variety of aspects. The 3 - 5" of new snow, from the last 24 hours, became wet/heavy and was not well bonded to the old snow surface. With dropping temperatures overnight and a daytime high temperature in the mid 20s on Friday, I do not expect wet loose avalanches to continue into Friday.

 

Regions covered