Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Shallow wind slabs may build through Friday near and above treeline. Wind slab avalanches will be possible to trigger in the right terrain, with resulting avalanches on the small side of the spectrum.

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The wind above treeline was swirling around on Thursday morning, actively moving snow to southerly aspects. There is still soft snow on the ground that can be moved by wind, and we may see up to a few inches of new snow on Friday along with westerly winds that may contribute to forming shallow wind slabs. Any resulting wind slab avalanche is expected to be small,

    Wind slabs won't be everywhere. Look for features that catch blowing snow and look for visual signs such as pillows of wind difted snow, and a wavy or uneven surface texture to indicate a surface may be wind loaded. Recently formed cornices can also be clues that wind slabs are present.

Avalanche Discussion

The last storm deliverd a great reset to the surface condtions. 

After two days of sitting on the ground, the recent storm snow is not showing any signs of storm slab potential. After a warm day on Friday, any loose dry potential will have subsided.

The rain crust from mid-January is now close to a meter below the snow surface. Below that crust, rounding faceted snow/crust sandwiches had been observed but was also gaining strength. As more snow piles on top of that layer, any faceted snow from the mid pack will continue to gain strength. The deep snowpack is strong. 

On Thursday morning the wind was variable above treeline, shifting out of the north and east at times. Blowing snow was observed coming from the north over ridgetops and cross loading some east facing slopes in the morning. Small (size D1) previous natural wind slab avalanches were observed on S, SE, and E aspects above treeline.

Regions covered