Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Triggering avalanches will be likely in new storm snow and wind drifted snow. Avalanches have the potential to be large and can be triggered on slopes where the wind has not stripped the new snow away. It will be best to avoid slopes where wind blown snow has accumulated. Recognize where terrain traps such as rocks, trees, cliffs, and constricted features are in relation to where you are travelling; this type of terrain can greatly increase the consequence of getting caught in an avalanche. If you are unsure about the stability of the snowpack, stick to slopes less than 30 degrees steep to minimize your exposure to avalanches.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    On Friday, reports of skier triggered wind slabs (small; D1) were reported from north and east slopes near treeline.

    Snow will continue to fall overnight and into Saturday morning. The westerly winds will be moving snow to lee slope features and wind slabs will continue to build. On west, north, and east facing slopes wind slabs can fail on the old snow interface of weak/sugary faceted snow and will have the chance to propagate wider and run farther than usual. Observe where blowing snow is moving and where that snow is landing. Look for visual clues to such as ripples in the snow or pillowy drifts to identify loaded slopes. Below ridges and highpoints are common places where wind slabs can be triggered. As wind moves snow across open slopes, gully features in particular can become 'cross loaded' and filled in with new wind slabs.  Cracking in the wind deposited snow and recent avalanches are good indicators that you can trigger an avalanche. Wind slabs can be avoided by sticking to sheltered areas or slopes that have been scoured by the wind. 

    Use carefull evaluation in areas of sparse trees, clearings, and sections of dead forests. Open areas 'below treeline' can get enough blowing snow to create wind slabs.

    Archive photo: Elliott Reed

    Example of cracking in wind drifted snow

  • Storm Slabs

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

    On Friday, an observer reported triggering small storm slabs on a varitey of aspects. The crowns were 4 - 6" and failed within the new snow.

    More new snow will stack up overnight and storm slabs will continue to build. Weak faceted snow was observed prior to the storm on west, north and east facing slopes. Storm slabs failing on, or stepping down to the old weak sugary snow will have the ability to propagate wider and run farther than typical storm slab activity. 

    Steep, convex, and unsupported features are the places where you are more likely to trigger a storm slab avalanche. 

    Dry loose avalanches will also be possible in in steep terrain.

    Archive photo: Public Observer

    Storm slab avalanche. Cohesive layers of storm snow can slide on weak layers within the new snow or at new snow/old snow interfaces.

Avalanche Discussion

New cornices will grow at ridgetops. Be catious when approaching ridgetops and avoid stepping out on a cornice. New cornices are very fragile. Stepping out onto one can result in a fall onto the slope below.

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