Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wet snow avalanches are possible at all elevations on slopes that have been warmed by the sun, especially during the hottest time of the day. Avalanches big enough to bury a person are unlikely. However it is important to rememeber that small avalanches in sustained steep terrain can lead to long falls. Be cautious when riding above terrain traps such as cliffs, rocks, and other features that can increase the consequence of sliding down a steep slope. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will mostly be small on Friday.  Small wet snow avalanches can cause you to loose your footing on steep slopes and send you tumbling into whatever is below. Look for clues like the surface snow becoming wet and slushy, rollerballs, and pinwheels as signs that these avalanches can happen.  If the surface snow becomes wet and slushy to boot top depth or more, loose wet avalanches will gain size and have the chance to become larger. They may gain more volume in areas where there was previous wind loading.

    Archive Photo:

    Small wet loose avalanches in steep terrain.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We had very minimal snow over the last few days. However isolated pockets of terrain may have a few lingering windslabs. For people going into the upper elevations, it is worth doing a little evaluation and check on the depth and reactivity of wind slabs before committing to big steep terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

Be cautious when approaching ridgetops especially if you do not have a good vantage point to see if a cornice is present. Avoid stepping out onto a cornice. They can break under the weight of a person and send you tumbling onto the slope below. On warm sunny days it is wise not to linger underneath cornices in case they break off naturally.

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