Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Shallow wind slabs will form on lee slopes near and above treeline Thursday night and throughout the day on Friday.  Evaluate terrain carefuly and think twice about dropping into steep committing terrain where wind slabs are present.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    New snow overnight and Friday will be cold, low density, and easily moved by the wind. Shallow wind slabs will form on lee slopes below ridgetops, high points, and around features that may become crossloaded. Watch for areas where wind drifted snow is accumulating for clues to where wind slabs will be present. Although human triggered avalanches will be on the small side, they could build in size throughout the day on Friday depending on how much snow actually falls. Monitor the depth of wind transported snow. Small avalanches can have consequence in steep and commiting terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Aside from small loose wet avalanches on Tuesday, we have not seen much avalanche activity in December. Overall, our snowpack is in good shape. There are no suspect weak layers lurking. Any avalanche activity in the near future will be related to surface conditions and incoming snow.   

On Tuesday the greater central Cascades zone experienced warming and sunshine that resulted in widespread crust formation with the subsequent cool down. As we move into a time of lower pressure and increasing precipitation through the weekend, ski and riding conditions will get a boost. Incoming snow on into Friday will start off slow, but we could see a bump in new snow depth as the weekend progresses.

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