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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering avalanches in wind drifted snow will be possible on northerly and easterly facing slopes near treeline and above treeline. Avalanches will be possible on all aspects as rain and warming causes melting and weakening of layers in the upper snowpack. Triggering avalanches on weak layers deep in the pack at mid and upper elevations are unlikely, but will be large and destructive if they  do occur; steep and unsupported slopes with shallow rocky areas as potential trigger points are places to consider avoiding. If you have uncertainty in the stability of the snowpack, stick to slopes less than 30 degrees steep. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Minimal snow will fall overnight, but there is still soft snow on the ground that can be moved by the wind. Monitor how deep wind deposited snow has stacked up and remember as drifts become deeper, avalanches can become larger. Look for cracking in the slab on small test slopes or previous avalanches as signs of unstable snow. Most wind slab avalanches will be small, but some isolated terrain features may have enough wind deposited snow to produce large avalanches if triggered. Be cautious on wind loaded slopes especially in steep terrain and above terrain traps.  Look for signs of wind slabs below treeline in areas of dead trees or clearings. 

    (1/25/2024)

    Using small test slopes, I found cracking in wind slabs on NE, E and SE slopes on Thursday. This is a good indicator that wind avalanches can happen.

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Rain and warming can lead to wet snow avalanches. This problem will come on as the day progresses and may be more prevelant at the lowest elevations in the forecast zone. This will depend a lot on how much rain falls. Monitor how deep the snow is becoming wet and slushy. Look for rollerballs as an indicator that wet snow avalanches are possible. As the temperature rises and/or snow becomes wet down to ankle or boot top depth, consider moving to lower angle terrain. 

    Wet loose avalanches are also possible. 

    Archive photo. Roller balls are the precursor to wet avalanches. 

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    The deep weak layers we have been talking about are showing signs of gaining strength and some are no longer present. I want to keep this problem on for now. The likelihood is very low but still something to be aware of.

    Weak layers formed formed earlier in the season are now down 140 - 200 cm (or deeper) below the surface. Multiple layers of faceted snow and buried surface hoar are now deep enough where the chance of us triggering an avalanche on these layers is unlikely but not impossible. An avalanche occurring on one of these deep layers would be very destructive. We probably won't get any feedback in the form of collapses or whumphs associated with this problem and with the exception of digging down through the entire snowpack, we may not know if it is under us or not. Increase your margin of safety by avoiding trigger points such as shallow rocky areas in steep terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

There are some wicked cornices out there hanging over lee slopes at ridge tops. Rain and warming can weaken cornices. Be cautious when approaching ridge tops. Stepping out onto a cornice can lead to an unexpected air drop and can have big consequences on steep slopes or above terrain traps such as cliffs.  With enough rain and warming, cornices have the chance to break naturally. Don't linger under them.

Regions covered