Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Stormy weather overnight and on Monday will bring about a shift in our avalanche concerns for Monday.  As new snow builds up, accompanied by increasing winds, we can expect avalanche danger to rise on any slopes where the wind has blown in this recent snow.  These will be North and East slopes near treeline and higher in the mountains.  For our lowest elevation terrain like Santiam Pass, Wet avalanches will remain likely on Monday morning with continued rainfall.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The likelihood and size of Wind Slab avalanches will build in proportion to the amount of new snow that we receive.  Snow levels will steadily drop overnight, although temperatures will be relatively warm for powder skiing.  This may have folks targeting higher terrain early in the day to maximize the new snow.  Remember that wind deposited snow can be 3-5 times as deep as the new snow that's fallen from the sky.  Evaluate the Wind Slab problem (how deep, and how reactive) on slopes less than thirty degrees or small enough not to injure you.  Elevations near treeline could pick up 6 inches or more of snow by Monday evening.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Our lowest elevation terrain like Santiam Pass will receive rain overnight and during much of the day Monday (snow levels are forecast to drop below 5000 ft. on Monday afternoon).  Of course rain always increases the liquid water present in the surface snow and causes that snow to lose cohesion.  This leads to Wet Loose avalanches.  If you are traveling on snow in the rain, it is often wise to avoid steep slopes.

  • Cornices

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

    Springtime is a good time to steer clear of cornices.  Sustained temperatures above freezing and rain have weakened most cornices.  On Monday, snow and wind will build these weakened cornices, and poor visibility may increase the likelihood that you have an unintentional cornice interaction.

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