Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Monday it will still be possible to trigger the shallow Wind Slabs that were formed today.  Today there were reports of multiple size 1 Wind Slab avalanches on North and East facing slopes.   Be cautious on steep North and East slopes directly below ridgelines, or on cross loaded features. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Strong Southwest winds this morning loaded start zones on North and East slopes.  With such little recent snow I haven't heard of any avalanches bigger than size 1, but I was impressed to see one natural avalanche with a crown that stretched over 100 ft. across the slope.

    The wind should let up a bit into Monday, and there is no major snow in the forecast so current Wind Slabs will begin to stabilize; but it will still be possible to trigger a Wind Slab avalanche on Monday.

    Size 1 Wind Slab on North slope at treeline. The crown was 10-20 cm. but over 100 ft. long.

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday morning saw another 3-5 cm. of new snow.  The wind speed picked up to Strong and shifted from the West to the SouthWest.  After the weekend we have approximately 10 cm. of new snow over last weeks firmer snow surfaces.  We haven't observed any pertinent persistent weak layers in our snow pack.

Regions covered