Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The primary avalanche danger on Thursday will be related to overnight above freezing temperatures and rain at lower to mid elevations. Triggering wet snow avalanches will be possible on all aspects and avalanches can be large, especially on long sustained steep slopes. If the upper snowpack is wet and slushy to boot top depth or more, it will be best to avoid sustained steep slopes. As snow begins falling later in the day, it will be possible to trigger avalanches in new wind drifts near treeline and above treeline.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    This problem will not come into play until we get at least a few inches of snow accumlation. If you are out in the late afternoon you may encounter new shallow wind slabs on lee terrain features. Wind slabs will mostly be small but watch for those pockets that accumulate more blowing snow. Monitor the depth of new wind slabs. 3" of new snow can turn into a 15" wind slab as wind blown snow accumulates on lee terrain features. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    Lower elevations will have above freezing temperatures overnight. That combined with rain during the night and into the day will keep wet loose avalanches on the list. I expect this problem to be more prominent below treeline and at the lowest elevation areas in the forecast zone. The mid elevations could get some rain overnight and into the morning. Use your evaluation skills to determine if this problem is present. If the upper pack is not wet and slushy, then the problem is not there. Most wet loose avalanches will be small, but if you observe the snow becoming wet and slushy to boot top depth or more, then avalanches could become large especially on long sustained steep slopes.

    Wet slabs are also possible at the lower elevations. 

    (3/26/2025) Photo: Aaron Hartz

    On Wednesday I observed many recent natural wet loose avalanches. All were small and in steep terrain on slopes in the direct sun.

Avalanche Discussion

Many of the large cornices broke off during the last few days, but there are still some that are hanging on. Lowering temperature and increasing clouds will decrease the chances of natural cornice breaks. Cornices could still come into play if they are getting rain soaked. Continue to use caution when approaching ridge tops and avoid walking out onto a cornice and don't linger underneath them. 

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