Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering avalanches will be possible in recently wind drifted snow near treeline and above treeline. On isolated terrain features avalanches have the potential to be large. Minimize your exposure to these avalanches by sticking to scoured slopes, wind sheltered areas, or by staying on low angle terrain. Triggering wet snow avalanches will be possible below treeline or on any slopes where rain is saturating the upper snowpack; if you observe the upper pack becoming wet and slushy, consider moving to lower angle terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The extent of this problem will depend on how much rain the lower elevations get. Look for signs that this problem is developing such as the surface snow becoming wet and slushy, and roller balls or pinwheels coming down the slopes. If you observe a wet loose avalanche, that is also a good indicator that other avalanches can happen. Most wet loose avalanches will be small, but remember that even small avalanches can knock you off your stance in steep terrain and send you tumbling. If the surface becomes wet and slushy down to boot top depth or more, avalanches will have the potential to increase in size.

    Previously wind loaded slopes will also have the potential for wet slab avalanches. 

    Archive Photo:

    Wet loose avalanches in steep terrain.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With the minimal snow fall in the last few days, most wind slabs will be small, but be on the lookout for isolated pockets of terrain that accumulate a lot more blowing snow. Wind can deposit snow many times deeper compared to the depth of storm snow. With poor visibility it may be tough to visually identify wind loaded slopes; give yourself a margin. Below ridges and  high points are common places where wind slabs form. Wind moving snow across a slope can fill in gully features and is also something to watch for especially in steep terrain. Use low angle terrain or small test slopes to check depth and reactivity of wind slabs. The melt freeze crust under the recent snow is a great reference point to check for depth of wind loading. If you see cracking in the slab or previous avalanches, these are good indicators of unstable snow.

    Archive Photo: Gabriel Coler

    Example of cracking in wind slab

Avalanche Discussion

Be cautious when approaching ridges especially in poor visibility. New cornices are fragile and will break easily under the weight of a person. Stepping out onto a cornice can lead to a fall down the slope below. 

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