Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering avalanches will be likely on terrain features that have accumulated wind drifted snow near treeline and above treeline. Triggering avalanches in recent storm snow will also possible. Avalanches have the potential to be large. Recognize where terrain traps such as rocks, trees, cliffs, and constricted features are in relation to where you are travelling; this type of terrain can greatly increase the consequence of getting caught in an avalanche. If you are unsure about the stability of the snowpack, stick to lower angle slopes less than 30 degrees steep to minimize your exposure to avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    With more snow coming in overnight, storm slabs will continue to build. Steep, convex, and unsupported features are the places where you are more likely to trigger a storm slab avalanche. A good strategy for testing this problem is to utilize small steep test slopes to check for the reactivity of the storm slab. Look for cracking in the slab or small avalanches releasing. If you use test slopes, make sure they are small and not capable of producing an avalanche that can hurt you. 

    Dry loose avalanches are also possible. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will build overnight and during the day. Remember that wind slabs can be many times deeper than the snow that fell out of the sky. Below ridges and highpoints are places where wind blown snow often accumulates. Slabs can also form as wind moves across a slope and fills in depressions and gully features. Wind slabs can be tricky to judge because some lee features will have minimal wind loading while other features seem to collect a lot more blowing snow. Deeper wind deposits can lead to larger avalanches. Cracking in the slab or recent avalanches are good indicators of unstable snow.  

    Remember that wind slabs can also form in areas of dead or sparse trees below treeline.

     

    (1/7/2026)

    Cracking in new wind slab. Wednesday, NE aspect, near treeline

    Photo: Aaron Hartz

Avalanche Discussion

Continue to be cautious around cornices. Many ridgetops on the north and east aspects have overhanging cornices. Stepping out onto a cornice may cause it to break leading to a fall onto the slope below.

Regions covered