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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New wind slabs may form Friday night and into Saturday due to the abundance of soft surface snow available for the wind to move. Although wind slab avalanches will be on the small side, be cautious in steep and committing terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind slabs that formed during the previous storm are showing a wide variety of reactivity. In some places they are now stubborn or non reactive to slope testing. A skier triggered wind slab was also reported from the Tam Rin area on Friday. As the westerly wind picks up Friday night into Saturday we may see new wind slabs forming. There is currently several inches light snow on the surface that is available for wind transport along with several inches of new snow possible overnight. Although existing wind slabs will trend to being stubborn, watch for new wind slabs forming on lee slopes.

    Look for visual signs such as pillows of wind difted snow, and a wavy or uneven surface texture to indicate a surface may be wind loaded. Recently formed cornices can also be clues that wind slabs are present. If you see cracking in the surface snow or experience hollow sounds on the surface, these are signs to move to use extra cauition in avalanche terrain with wind loaded slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

Friday saw a break from precipitation and the clouds cleared off. It was a good chance to look around before the next weather system arrives. 

The last rain crust is now down 20-30cm below the surface, and can be much deeper in areas that were previously wind loaded. The top several inches of snow that fell on Thursday, were light and fluffy while the older storm snow was showing more cohesion. Overall, snow is bonding to the last rain crust. 

Very small skier triggered loose dry activity was observed from skiers in steep terrain on Friday, but generally too shallow to create a problem.

Surface hoar was observed on south, east, and northeast slopes near and above treeline on Friday. If surface hoar survives long enough to be buried by new snow, this will create a new weak layer....time will tell if this happens. As the next round of new snow comes in, it will be worth looking for a fine line of buried surface hoar under the new snow.

A skier triggered wind slab was reported on Friday, from a north aspect near treeline; size D1

Regions covered