Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and strong west winds will result in it being possible to trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow on Saturday. This is most likely to occur on east facing slopes near and above treeline. Exercise caution near steep leeward terrain especially below ridgelines and on steep convex rollers, where these avalanches would be most likely to trigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Saturday's wind slab problem will be dependent on how much snow falls overnight Friday and through Saturday morning. Most of the snow fall will be happening in the early hours of Saturday morning, and will be accompanied by strong to extreme winds. I would expect this hazard to increase throughout the morning as snow falls and continues to get blown around. Keep in mind that wind drifts can be 3-5x deeper than the snow totals that fell from the sky. Strong winds could result in loading patterns further downslope than you would expect. Use the crust layer that this new snow is falling on as a baseline to measure snow depths and gauge wind slab presence. Small low consequence test slopes are a good way to get an idea of likelihood to triggering. If you see red flags such as shooting cracks or collapsing of the snow, consider lower angle or more windward terrain.

    (2/1/2026)

    Archived photo of cracking in storm snow

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

Avalanche Discussion

Friday's tour was a wet one, with rain reaching at least up to around 8,000 ft elevation. Above 7K, a riming/freezing rain event from the previous night resulted in a widespread and very stout rain crust on the snow surface above this elevation band. The ongoing rain was not enough to soften this crust, making travel quite difficult (up and down). Below 7,000 ft, the snow surface was soft but very saturated. With the strong forecasted winds, be aware that windward slopes may remain scoured to this ice surface, and any open slope could have a variety of surface conditions with patches of scoured ice. If you are chosing to ascend windward slopes in the alpine on Saturday, have the necessary knowledge and equipment to prevent a long sliding fall.

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