Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

The region has received approx. 2 ft of new snow since Sunday.  As folks venture higher into terrain with the clearing weather be wary of wind loaded slopes.  Wind Slab avalanches could exist on any slope except those facing West, and Wind Slabs could be large enough to bury or injure a rider.  Large slab avalanches are unlikely below treeline, but we have seen some activity on the Feb. 21 crust which is now 60-90 cm. deep.  This layer is most likely to be reactive on very steep, shady slopes that see limited traffic.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Observations from Tuesday saw surprising limited Wind Slab avalanche activity given the shear volume of new snow, and breezy conditions on Monday night.  At treeline snow remained relatively unconsolidated and Dry Loose avalanches were more prevalent than Wind Slabs.

    Nonetheless Wind Slabs remain likely on Wednseday, and folks should be wary if they are using the clearing weather to venture into higher, more wind affected terrain.  Wind slabs may be touchy where they have formed over cold dry powder, and while most will be shallow, Wind Slabs large enough to bury or injure a rider are possible.

    Watch for the usual signs of recently blowing snow:  new cornice formation, variable snow depths, and variable snow textures on adjacent slopes that face different directions.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Shallow Dry Loose avalanches were the order of the day on Tuesday, and with cold overnight temperatures, they will remain likely on Wednesday.  Many steeper slopes likely released naturally several times during the recent snowfall.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    On Tuesday the top 10 cm. of snow had just a hint of coehision to it.  Most avalanches were Dry Loose, and would only occasionally propogate a little.  While large Storm Slabs are unlikely, I am not ready to discount possibly weak snow above the Feb. 21 melt-freeze crust.  This layer is most likely to be reactive on very steep, shady terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

What a day!  Snowfall totals seemed to exceed many of our expectations, although when I looked at snow heights critically, I think we are just looking at the cumulative effect of continuous very light dry snow.  A good average throughout the region is probably 60 cm since Sunday with some zones feeling a lot deeper than that.  We've seen predominantly Dry Loose activity with some Wind Slabs in specific terrain and storm slabs on isolated slopes.  The snow directly above the Feb 21 crust continues to be a layer of interest to me.  Observations from today found no evidence of weak snow at this interface, but I was surprised to see a significant avalanche on this layer on Monday.

Regions covered