Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains unchanged.  We haven't seen any recent avalanche activity, and triggering an avalanche continues to be unlikely.  Previous forecasts have noted the existance of a buried surface hoar layer down 40-50 cm.  This layer has been predominently unreactive, but it is still prudent to do a little investigation before riding steep, unsupported terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    It is hard to include the Dec. 8th buried surface hoar layer as a Persistent Slab avalanche character because we haven't seen any avalanches on this layer for over a week.  Nonetheless I am including it because folks are still finding sudden collapses in their compression tests (a failure that is indicative of avalanche activity), and because triggering a weak layer 40-50 cm. deep would have significant consequences.  As we've been saying, these avalanches are low likelihood, high consequence.  It is worth doing a little inspection before committing to steep untouched terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

We haven't had any new snow for the past week, although cold temperatures and short days have preserved the soft riding on shadier slopes.  Our snow height continues to average 150 cm.  The Dec. 8th burried surface hoar layer (40-50 cm down) is evident but predominently unreacitve throughout the terrain.  There is a skiff of snow in the forecast tonight with Moderate West winds but I don't anticipate enough new snow to create a Wind Slab avalanche problem.

Regions covered