Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It will be possible to trigger shallow Wind Slab avalanches on north and east slopes near treeline and above, where the wind has blown new snow.  The size of these avalanches will increase throughout the day as more snow is available to build Wind Slabs.  Weak faceted layers exist deep in our snowpack.  Triggering an avalanche on these layers is unlikely but would be catastrophic.  Increase your margin of safety by avoiding big, steep slopes that are shallow or unsupported.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The weather forecast for Wednesday calls for several inches of snow accompanied by Moderate winds from the southwest.  These winds will blow the new snow onto north and east slopes where it will come to rest below ridgelines and along crossloaded freatures.  Often wind deposited snow can be 3-5 times as deep as the new snow in unaffected glades and meadows.

    Wind Slabs on Wednseday will likely be shallow although they will increase in size throughout the day as more snow falls.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    There is a hodgepodge of persistent weak layers buried approximately 2 meters beneath the snow surface.  These layers are variable throughout the terrain but exist primarily on colder slopes near treeline and above.  Most often I have observed faceted snow near the crusts that were formed in late December and early January.  When weak layers become buried this deep it becomes difficult to assess them; avalanches become much less frequent and snowpack tests become less practical.  Our most recent large avalanches were about 10 days ago.  For the time being, I am advising avoiding large steep slopes, and particularly those that could be shallow or are unsupported.  Deep Slab avalanches are most often triggered at a shallow trigger point, near the edges of the slab, or by other avalanches and cornices.

Avalanche Discussion

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