Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

As the day warms up, wet snow avalanches will be possible. Slopes in the direct sun during the warmest time of the day will have the greatest likelihood of avalanching. As the snow becomes wet and slushy to ankle deep or more, wet snow avalanches can happen. Small avalanches on sustained steep slopes and above features like rocks and cliffs can lead to higher consequences of getting caught in an avalanche. When in doubt, move to more shaded slopes or lower angle terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The snowpack will get a solid refreeze overnight and will take some time to warm up. Slopes in the direct sun during the warmest time of the day will have the greatest likelihood of wet loose avalanches. Monitoring the surface snow is the key to gauging this problem. The deeper the snow becomes wet and slushy, the bigger the avalanches can be. Most wet loose avalanches will be small. At the lowest elevations in the forecast zone, the daytime high temeprature will get up to around 50 F and may lead to avalanches becoming bigger. 

    Keep an eye on the terrain below and remember getting caught in a small avalanche can still have consequences. Wet loose avalanches can cause you to loose your footing on steep slopes or get pushed over rocks and cliffs. 

    Use timing, aspect, and terrain choice to minimize risk associated with this problem. 

    (4/16/2024)

    Rocks can heat up in the sun causing the surrounding snow to loose cohesion. Wet loose avalanches often initiate in steep and rocky terrain on solar exposed slopes.

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

Avalanche Discussion

When approaching ridge tops, be carefull not to step out onto an overhanging cornice. Breaking through a cornice can lead to a long fall down the slope below. Warming and direct sun can cause cornices to break off naturally.

Regions covered