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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow avalanches are likely in the Monument for Saturday. On Friday I observed touchy, reactive slabs on slopes where wind has loaded recent snow. Look for cornice development and blowing snow to understand where wind loaded slopes are present. Seek low angle and sheltered terrain as areas that will have lower hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Friday at Paulina Peak, I observed touchy soft slabs on steep slopes North - East facing. These instabilities were within the new snow, and while they were relatively shallow (4-6"), they did have a lot of energy behind them with wide propagation and quick moving debris. With continued winds and snowfall Friday night through Saturday, these wind slabs will likely become larger and therefore higher consequence throughout the day. As the photo here shows, even a small D1 avalanche can have significant consequence when above certain terrain traps like trees and cliffs. While Newberry zone will not be seeing the huge snow totals of the Central Cascades for this weekend's storm, it is still a time to step back and exercise heightened caution. Use low consequence indicator slopes to test terrain, and if red flags are present, seek safer alternative terrain choices such as slopes less than 30 degrees, windward slopes, or treed terrain.

    (3/14/2025) Paulina Peak:

    D1 soft slab avalanche, released upon approach on a NE facing aspect below a ridge at around 7300ft. Crown height was only about 5", but it propagated 40+ ft wide and ran a couple hundred feet.

    Photo: Ryan Marvin

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