Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet avalanches will be likely on steep sunny slopes. This avalanche problem will increase as the day heats up. If you start to find wet slushy snow, pinwheels, and/or recent avalanches, it’s time to move to shadier slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    For Thursday, wet loose avalanches will continue to be the main problem.  I suspect most avalanches will be small, though large avalanches will be possible. Wet loose avalanches follow the sun and will increase as temperatures rise. Your best bet for this problem is to use timing to your advantage. Ride early, and move off slopes when you start to see signs of snow surface instabilities. If you sink into wet slushy snow, find roller balls, and/or see recent wet loose avalanches, it’s time to seek shadier terrain.

    I would also keep an eye out for cornices. Don’t linger under them, and avoid getting too close. Warm temperatures weaken cornices and can cause them to collapse more easily.

    (1/14/2026)

    Lots of rollerballs on steep sunny slopes on Broken Top. 

    Photo: Elliott Reed

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday, I toured Broken Top. I observed a lot of pinwheels/rollerballs on steep sunny slopes. Some were rider-triggered and some were natural. I found a variety of snow surfaces including slushy snow, breakable crusts, wind scouring, and even some older powder. Other non-avalanche hazards I observed were exposed rocks and logs, open creeks, and natural rock fall. 

We have had some very warm temperatures, with overnight lows in the upper 40s. There has been an inversion, with colder temperatures occurring at some of our lower elevation weather stations and much warmer temperatures at higher weather stations. 

Regions covered