Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanches large enough to bury, injure, or kill a rider are unlikely on Sunday. However, small avalanches are possible in wet and slushy snow in very steep terrain. Always assess the snowpack carefully, and use prudent  backcountry travel techniques like riding one at a time. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunday will be cloudy but warm, with a chance of sun popping through the clouds midday. As the temperature rises, and especially if the sun comes out, the surface snow will warm and lose cohesion. Watch for loose wet avalanches in very steep terrain, especially on south-facing slopes that get the sun. You might also find this problem at lower elevations with rain on snow (around the Santiam Pass, where there is a 30% chance of rain on Sunday). Look for roller balls as an early indicator of a loose wet avalanche problem, and notice how deeply your boots sink into the snow. If the snow seems slushy, move to a lower angle. 

    Loose wet avalanches are common when new snow gets warmed for the first time. Since we've had minimal new snow in the last few days, I expect any loose wet avalanche activity to be very small. 

Avalanche Discussion

Low danger doesn't mean no danger. It just means that avalanches are expected to be small and isolated.  

We've had several days of very windy conditions moving snow around the mountains. With minimal new snow in the last 48 hours, warming temperatures, and decreasing wind speeds, I don't expect a wind slab avalanche hazard on Sunday Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to monitor the snowpack for signs of instability, especially if you're riding steep slopes or venturing to areas that don't get a lot of traffic. 

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