Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Relatively light amounts of new snow shouldn't be enough to produce avalanches large enough to bury or injure riders.  Currently, I'm expecting a couple of inches of new snow by the end of the day Wednesday.  If we are lucky enough to get more new snow than that, I would watch for avalanches on slopes where the wind has blown in deeper accumulations of snow.  It is always worth carrying avalanche rescue gear, and using thoughtful travel techniques like exposing only one rider at a time to steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    You'll notice that Wind Slab avalanches are unlikely and small.  I don't think that we'll get enough new snow to really have a Wind Slab problem.  It is worth remembering that the wind can create areas of snow that are 3-5 times deeper than the snow that has fallen from the sky.  If we only get one inch of new snow, riders may choose to seek out those areas where it is blown in deeper.  As the new snow piles up, and we start seeing more than a couple inches in glades and meadows, then it will be worthwhile to consider Wind Slab avalanches before committing to steep, lee slopes.  Wind hardened snow may be more reactive where it overlays weak faceted snow.

Avalanche Discussion

As we get new snow, it is good to remember what our old snow surfaces were like.  There was pretty much a bit of everything!  Sunny slopes had a melt-freeze crust.  Upper elevation slopes were heavily wind effected.  Slopes that were shady and sheltered from the wind have been holding dry faceted snow.  This might still be the best riding, but could also be a future weak layer if we see significant snow accumulations.

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