Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanches large enough to bury or injure a rider are possible on slopes above treeline.  At these high elevations, winds have blown snow from windward slopes and onto leeward slopes, creating the potential for Wind Slab avalanches.  Avalanche activity at lower elevations (near treeline) will be very isolated in nature, but it still makes sense to use safe travel techniques like riding slopes one at a time.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Despite such Light recent winds, I did observe evidence of wind blown snow near treeline today.  I saw scoured Northwest slopes but failed to find any reactive Wind Slabs on the adjacent East slopes.  Given these observations and how little snow fell over the weekend, I've removed Wind Slabs from the near treeline elevation band.

    High alpine elevations were likelier windier and may have received an inch or two more of snow on Saturday.  The possibility of reactive Wind Slab avalanches is greater on large slopes up high.  Evaluate the depth of wind blown snow (new snow above Saturday's rain crust) on lee slopes before committing to avalanche terrain.  Wind directions have been variable over the last two days, but on Monday scouring and loading patterns were obvious by observing snow textures.

Regions covered