Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanches large enough to bury or injure a rider will be unlikely on Tuesday.  Isolated pockets of unstable snow may exist throughout the Cascade Range.  High in the mountains there may be very isolated pockets of wind loaded snow that could be triggered on the steepest, most unsupported slopes.  At our lowest elevation, snow covered terrain like Hogg Rock, small Wet Loose avalanches are possible during the warmest part of the day.    If you are riding on slopes steeper than 30 degrees it is always good to keep your eyes open and use safe travel techniques like riding one at a time.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With so little recent new snow, and then winds from every direction, there is not a lot of soft snow left in the alpine.  On a long tour over Ball Butte and Broken Top today I was able to find very isolated pockets of wind deposited snow.  Of these isolated wind slabs, an even more isolated subset might still be reactive (see video).  The likelihood of finding Wind Loaded snow, with weak snow underneath, on a slope that is steep or unsupported enough to trigger an avalanche is pretty low.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The forecast for Santiam Pass calls for clear skies and temperatures climbing to 46 F.  On January 14, our sun is still pretty weak, but with such high temperatures we will see some melting of the surface snow.  This could lead to small Wet Loose avalanches on South slopes at our lowest elevation, snow-covered terrain.

Regions covered