Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will be Low at all elevations on Thursday morning, but as more snow falls, the avalanche danger will increase proportionally.  By Thursday afternoon small Wind Slab avalanches will be possible on east and south slopes below ridgelines where the wind has blown the newest snow.  These Wind Slabs will be most likely where the wind is strongest on Thursday; alpine elevations or in terrain that funnels or otherwise causes the wind to accelerate.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind Slabs will be a developing problem on Thursday.  We're not expected to get a ton of new snow and forecast wind speeds near treeline are Light with Moderate gusts.  I expect Wind Slabs will be most likely where the wind is strongest (alpine elevations or where the wind wraps around or funnels through terrain) or on slopes with a particularly large fetch (area to draw snow from).  Wind loaded start zones can be 3-5 times deeper than the snow depth in sheltered glades and meadows.  I'll be keeping that number in mind, and then looking for blowing snow throughout the day.

Avalanche Discussion

I appreciate forecasting some cold weather and new snow!  I wish there was a bit more snow in the forecast.  Swings like the one we are experiencing between warm sunny weather with wet avalanche characters, and then cold snowy weather with new snow avalanche characters, are common here in Central OR. 

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