Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm days and sunshine lead to spring type avalanche problems. Wet loose avalanches will be the primary thing to watch for on Friday. Be cautious on steep slopes in the direct sun, especially during the warmest time of the day.

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Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The sun and warm temperature will cause the surface snow to weaken and loose consolidation. 

    Monitor the surface snow conditions. When the surface becomes wet or slushy, or if you see rollerballs naturally coming down the slopes, recognize these as signs of precursers to wet loose avalanches. 

    Wet loose avalanches are expected to be small, however it does not take much wet heavy snow moving at your feet to knock you off your stance. Small wet loose avalanches can have consequence in steep terrain expecally above terrain traps.

Avalanche Discussion

Warm days and direct sun can have a big effect on the snow, especailly in the upper pack. The wet loose problem will mosly be due to warming in the storm snow from the last week that sits upon a melt freeze crust. Use timing and terrain choice to find the best skiing and riding throughout the day and avoid wet loose avalanches. As the sun moves across the terrain, try to stay off steep slopes in the direct sun when the surface snow is becoming slushy.

No avalanche activity has been reported in recent days. 

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