Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Sunday, avalanches will be possible in open areas where the wind is blowing new snow. The danger will increase through the day, especially at higher elevations, as new snow stacks up.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Due to our region's thin snow coverage, wind slabs will be specific to the terrain that's already holding snow and that continues to collect new snow on Sunday. Simply put, if there is enough snow to make the riding fun, you should be thinking about wind slab avalanches. For the most part, I expect these to be small. However, if we get the higher amount of possible snow totals (up to 8 inches in 24 hours) then the size and likelihood of avalanches will increase through the day. Pay close attention to how much new snow is coming down and where it's being blown. Avoid steep parts of the slope with smooth, pillowy drifts.

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday, I toured up Ball Butte. The snowmobile ride out there was quite adventurous, and Ball Butte's east bowl was almost unrecognizable with such shallow snow coverage. I measured 45 cm of snow depth at the snowmobile parking (7200') and up to 160 cm on some lee aspects around 7800' and 8000'. However, the snow coverage was highly variable, and there were many, many rocks sticking out. Looking out at Broken Top, coverage appeared grim. 

All of this is to say, while there are some pockets of nice, rideable snow, coverage across our zone is still quite lacking. There are trees, rock gardens, and open creeks in areas that are covered by many feet of snow in a "normal" winter. Keep these additional hazards in mind as you choose terrain and evaluate the avalanche hazard on a specific slope. 

Regions covered