Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Over the last few days I haven't seen as much avalanche activity as I would expect given the warm temperatures.  On Wednesday, daytime high temperatures are forecast to be cooler.  Avalanches large enough to bury or injure a rider will be unlikely except in the instance of Cornice Collapses.  It will remain possible to trigger small Wet Loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Large chunks of cornices have been collapsing during our warm sunny days.  Cornices are always unpredictable, but now is a particularly good time to avoid spending time on and beneath them.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet Loose avalanches large enough to bury or injure a rider will be unlikely on Wednesday, but small Wet Loose avalanches will be possible.  As I've been saying each night, be aware that even small Wet Loose avalanches can be forceful enough to knock a rider off their feet in steep terrain.  Wet Loose avalanches are most likely on steep, sunny slopes and during the warmest part of each day.

    I am impressed by how little Wet Loose activity has been observed.  Largely this is due to the gradual warming we've experienced with the snowpack refreezing each night.  As we see slightly cooler temperatures during the next couple of days, I expect we'll continue to see minimal avalanche activity.

Regions covered