Avalanche forecast

Newberry

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Despite very warm temperatures and sunny skies, we haven't seen any natural wet avalanches this week.  With similar weather in the forecast for the weekend, avalanches will remain unlikely.  Although unlikely, wet avalanches are still worth considering if you intend to ride a steep sunny slope.  It is always worth carrying avalanche rescue gear, and using thoughtful travel techniques like riding slopes one at a time.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    After riding in the monument on Friday and also reading Alli's observation from Wednesday, it is hard for me to imagine a wet avalanche large enough to bury or injure a rider.  We haven't seen any natural avalanches during the last week.  I suspect it is a combination of short days, weak winter sun, and then the fact that there really isn't that much snow on south slopes.  Riding the road to the summit, it is easy to observe bare spots above the road where rocks and dirt are poking through.  Similarly, looking at the south facing slopes on the north side of the lakes, the snow cover looks pretty thin.

    Nonetheless, with overnight temperatures staying well above freezing at our summit weather station, and sunny days with warm temperatures, I can't take this problem out of the forecast.  I expect it to be isolated.

    (1/16/2026)

    It's getting pretty thin on south slopes!

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

Avalanche Discussion

With the inverted temperatures and lack of new snow, I've been finding some of the best riding conditions in low-lying, shady meadows and open zones, where there is still some dry snow.  I was able to find some slopes with faceted snow.  These weak crystals are great to ride through now, but could provide a dangerous weak layer if they are buried by new snow.

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