Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It will remain possible to trigger an avalanche in wind drifted snow on Sunday.  Moderate winds have been blowing the new snow onto north, east and south slopes near treeline and at alpine elevations.  If you have decided to travel on these lee slopes, utilize small test slopes and slopes less than 30 degrees to assess how reactive and deep new Wind Slabs could be.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind Slab avalanche activity associated with the most recent new snow has been minimal.  Today I toured across many lee slopes from Tumalo to Ball Butte and onto the Bend Glacier.  While I observed deeper pockets of wind hardened snow, I didn't find any reactive Wind Slabs.  This doesn't mean that they aren't out there on isolated terrain features.  I would be wary on steeper, convex slopes where recent winds have blown the new snow.  Additionally the wind is expected to increase overnight and into Sunday so new Wind Slabs may form.  The forecast wind direction is from the west and west-southwest which means lee slopes will be north, east, and south (accounting for some variation through terrain).

Avalanche Discussion

Unsettled, colder weather has brought a return of more wintery avalanche conditions.  Wind Slabs are our primary concern for the near furture.  If the sun peaks out midday, we may see some rollerballs on sunny low elevation slopes, but I don't expect a Wet Loose avalanche problem.

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