Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering avalanches in wind deposited snow will be likely and resulting avalanches can be large. Triggering avalanches in the new storm snow will  be possible in areas where the wind has not scoured it away. Use terrain to your advantage, if you have uncertainty in the stability of the snowpack stick to slopes less than 30 degrees steep. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Sustained winds up to the 40 mph range will be moving a lot of snow to lee terrain features. With this kind of wind speed, wind deposited snow can show up further down slope and in unusual places. It won't be hard to spot blowing snow out there. The wind wrapping around north and south aspects can cause cross loading. Wind slab avalanches have the potential to be larger compared to what we normally see during storm cycles.  Use visual clues such as wavy surface texture and pillowy drifits as an indicator of where this problem is present. Previous avalanches and cracking in wind deposited snow are surefire signs that wind slab avalanches can occur. 

    Remember, wind can pile up snow many times deeper than the snow dropped by the storm. As wind slabs become deeper, avalanches can become larger.

    With wind speeds like this, blowing snow may observed in many areas below treeline and areas of sparse or dead trees below treeline can experience a significant wind effect. 

    It will be best to avoid wind loaded slopes on Thursday. 

     

     

    Archive photo (Elliott Reed)

    Example of shooting cracks in wind drifted snow

     

  • Storm Slabs

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

    This problem will build throughout the day and will depend on how much snow stacks up. Use small test slopes to check out this problem. Cracking and slabs releasing on small convex rolls can tell you a lot about the sensitivity of the storm slabs. As the new snow stacks up to 8 - 10+ inches, storm slab avalanches can start packing a punch. Keep an eye on terrain traps below you and be cautious around steep, convex and unsupported terrain.

    In areas where the wind has moved snow away, storm slabs will be less of a problem. 

    We may also see small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Cornices will be building above some lee slopes. Be cautious when approaching ridge tops. Avoid stepping out onto a cornice.

Earlier this week, patchy buried surface was observed on some protected north facing slopes. This was about 15 - 20 inches below the surface before the current storm snow fell. Before committing to steep north facing terrain, it is a good idea to find a safe spot to dig and check for the presence of buried surface hoar. 

Regions covered