Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cold and light snow along with westerly winds will build wind slabs on lee terrain features near treeline and above treeline. Wind slabs will be reactive and likely to trigger in terrain steeper than 30 degrees. Monitor the depth of wind deposited snow and be cautious around wind loaded features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In much of the terrain, wind slab avalanches will be small although there are specific pockets of terrain out there that will be capable of producing a large avalanche by the afternoon.  Montior the depth of wind drifted snow as you move through lee terrain below ridge tops and around features that catch blowing snow. As you observe increased depth of wind loaded snow, expect resulting avalanches to become larger. 

    Cold light snow will easily be moved by the wind.  It is important to remember that wind deposits can be many times deeper than the accumulated storm snow.

    Ease into steeper terrain. Look for new cornices or a rough, wavy, or chalky texture on the snow surface to indicate where wind slabs have formed. If you encounter cracking in wind drifted snow, or observe recent avalanches, that is a good indication to stay off of wind loaded slopes steeper than 30 degrees. 

Avalanche Discussion

With upwards of 5" of new snow on the ground by the afternoon on Sunday, you could see some very shallow storm slab or loose dry snow moving but it will be very small and not enough to consider it a problem.

Regions covered