Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Shallow Wet Loose avalanches will be possible tomorrow afternoon on the steepest, sunny slopes.  Even with this possibility I am keeping the hazard Low because this day will be so similar to so many this month, and we've seen remarkably little avalanche activity.  Any avalanches will be very shallow and only consequential to riders in steep terrain where a fall would be more consequential.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet Loose avalanches occurr when the sun and daytime warm temperatures melt the surface snow.  Once enough melt water is present between the ice grains this surface snow looses cohesion.  You can anticipate the size of any potential avalanches by evaluating how deep beneath the surface the snow is melting.  While any avalanches Friday will be shallow, they can be quite heavy and could potentially knock a rider off their feet in very steep terrain.  

    An example of a Wet Loose avalanche

Avalanche Discussion

We have been experiencing the longest corn cycle that I can remember!  Looking back over several weeks of avalanche forecasts there has been very little variation froom day to day.  Friday will be no different.  I have seen Wet Loose avalanche activity on these warm days, but it has been relatively minimal and only in the steepest, warmest terrain.  I am anticipating a break in this cycle as we move into Saturday when weather forecasts are calling for stormier weather.

Regions covered