Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches will remain possible at higher elevations on slopes that the wind has blown snow onto.  For the most part these are steep north and east facing slopes below ridgelines.  Some of these avalanches could be larger than expected or more easy to trigger because of weak snow that existed before the snow that fell on Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Riders throughout the Cascades observed small wind slab avalanches on Sunday.  While the Wind Slabs we saw on Sunday were small, it would not have been surprising for someone to trigger an avalanche large enough to bury or injure a rider.  With several inches of new snow in the forecast for Monday I expect this trend to continue.  After seeing so much surface hoar last week, we have been advising folks that avalanches may be easier to trigger and larger than expected if they overlay this layer of weak snow.  So far observers haven't been finding reactive surface hoar.  It is a bit too early for me to completely discount it though, especially if you are riding north or east slopes near treeline that generally get less traffic.

    (2/15/2026)

    D1 Wind Slab avalanche, approx. 7,800 ft. NE, skier trigger

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

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