Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Monday's avalanche conditions will be similar to what we've seen on Saturday and Sunday.  Wet Loose Avalanches have been observed on the warmest slopes as the surface snow melts.  Areas to watch out are low elevation sunny slopes, and very steep South facing slopes at higher elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Another day with temperatures climbing well above freezing means that Wet Loose avalanches are once again possible. 

    The best indication of Wet Loose avalanche potential is how the snow feels under your feet.  If it's getting slushy, and you are seeing small point releases beneath rocks and cliffs, it's a good time to avoid steep south slopes.

    Since this avalanche character is caused by daytime high temperatures and heat from the sun melting the snow surface, it can typically be avoided with good timing, or by choosing to ride on a different aspect.

Avalanche Discussion

A weekend of sun and above freezing temperatures means that snow surface conditions vary based upon elevation and aspect, with sunny slopes having gone through 2 melt-freeze cycles.  The only avalanche characters that we've been observing are small Wet Loose avalanches and very isolated small cornice collapse.  We don't have any significant peristent weak layers in our snowpack.

Regions covered