Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The primary avalanche concern is in the wind drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. It will be likely to trigger avalanches on lee slopes, that collect blowing snow, and avalanches can be large. The safe bet is to avoid slopes that accumulate wind blown snow. It will also be possible to trigger avalanches in recent storm snow. In addition to avoiding wind loaded slopes, be cautious in steep, convex, and unsupported terrain. Keep an eye on the terrain around and below you; terrain traps such as rocks, cliffs, and trees can increase the consequences of getting in an avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Wind slabs are continuing to build. The winds have been sustained at speeds sufficient to move snow for the last few days. The storm snow from the last week is still being moved by the wind. We had about 15 cm (6") of new snow in the last 24 hours and more snow coming in tonight and on Friday. Most wind slabs will be in the size 1 to 1.5 range but isolated terrain features will collect enough blowing snow to produce large avalanches. Most wind slab avalanch activity will be on north and east facing lee features, but keep an eye on periphery slopes that are getting cross loaded. 

    With sustained winds moving a lot of snow, select areas "below treeline" can also have wind slab conditions. Dead forests and sparse trees are the places to keep an eye on. 

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The snow from last weak continues to settle but there are still some lingering weak layers in the upper pack. New snow from Thursday and in the incoming snow overnight and Friday will bring on the chance for new storm slab activity. There will be a slight increase in the daytime high temperature on Friday, and may add to the slab properties in the new snow. Be cautious around and above terrain traps. Steep convex trigger points are the prime places to trigger storm slabs. The likelihood for large storm slabs is going down, but lets be cautious for another day or two.

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices are continuing to build at ridgetops. Do not linger underneath large cornices and definitely avoid stepping out onto one. 

    (3/19/2025) Photo: Aaron Hartz

    Cornices have been growing over the last few days. The overhangs are especially fragile when they are fresh.

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