Avalanche forecast

Newberry

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

There will be an increase in the avalanche danger associated with the new snow and wind.  On Saturday, avalanches will be likely where the wind has blown in the new snow and some could be large.  Often we associate these Wind Slabs with high elevations where there are less trees and the wind can move more snow.  On Friday, I was also finding deep wind deposited snow adjacent to the obsidian flow and even along the roads.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Friday I observed Moderate and Strong winds blowing snow onto East and North slopes throughout the terrain.  This included up high on the peak, but also any areas that aren't forested :  along the roads, adjacent to the obsidian flow etc.    I was able to get easy hand shear results in this wind blown snow which can be indicative of avalanches (see video... sorry about the poor audio... it was windy!)  The Wind Slabs that I was finding varied from 8 inches to 20 inches thick.  With more snow in the forecast overnight and during the day tomorrow, the size of these avalanches will increase.

    Identify and avoid steep pillowy slopes if they are large enough to bury you.

    (12/13/2024)

    Small Natural Wind Slab on the North side of the Obsidian Flow

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

Avalanche Discussion

As of Friday evening, our lower weather station just above Paulina Lake has recorded about 6 inches of new snow since Wednesday, but as I was traveling around the monument it sure felt like more!

Regions covered