Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Triggering an avalanche in slabs formed by wind drifted snow will be likely on north, east, and southerly facing slopes near and above treeline. In most cases, triggering an avalanche will result in a small slide, but be aware of those pockets of terrain that accumulate a lot of blowing snow and where large avalanches can happen. Use safe test slopes or low angle terrain to evaluate wind loaded slopes and if you observe signs of unstable snow such as cracking or previous avalanches, consider avoiding wind loaded slopes and/or moving to lower angle terrain less than 30 degrees steep. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The key with this problem on Thursday will be monitoring the depth of wind slabs on loaded slopes. We haven't had a lot of new snow this week, however it has been relatively low density and easily moved by the wind. On many slopes, triggering a wind slab avalanche will be small. There will be isolated terrain features that funnel blowing snow and cause certain slopes to have deeper wind deposits. Use safe terrain to check out how deep wind slabs are before dropping into steep and consequential terrain. As wind slabs become 8-10" deep or more they can start to pack a punch. Even small avalanches can lead to bad outcomes in steep terrain or above terrain traps.

    Below treeline, places like clearings and areas with sparse or dead trees can accumulate enough blowing snow to be a concern for wind slab avalanches. 

    Look for wind slabs below ridges, peaks, and around any features that catch blowing snow. 

    (4/19/2023)

    Wind slab avalanches were easily ski triggered on Wednesday near treeline on an east facing slope. Observed avalanches were small. Crowns were approximately 6-8"

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

Avalanche Discussion

After the last bout of warm weather, many of the cornices shed their large overhanging diving boards but some did not. With the latest round of new snow and wind blowing snow we are seeing some growth to the existing cornices. Be cautious when approaching ridge tops. They can be difficult to see, especially with poor visibility. Stepping out onto a cornice can result in a big drop onto the slope below. 

Regions covered