Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Sunday, avalanches will be possible in upper elevations where the wind has blown new snow onto steep slopes. In much of our terrain, there is not enough snow coverage for avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Below 7,000', most of our terrain does not have enough snow to ride, let alone avalanche. However, upper elevations are holding more snow and deeper wind drifts. Snow is in the forecast Saturday night and Sunday, with 10 or more inches possible in the alpine, along with sustained moderate westerly winds. Visibility will not be great on Sunday, but if you venture up high looking for turns, watch for signs of a wind slab avalanche problem. This should be easy to find because it will be the areas holding the most snow. Other clues are drifts and new cornices, rippled texture on the snow surface, or cracking around your skis or snowboard. Remember that shallow-buried rocks and other obstacles continue to pose a hazard and could make the consequences of a small avalanche worse. 

Avalanche Discussion

I went up Tumalo on Saturday in boots (no skis). Travel on foot was challenging, with dust on crust (or ice...or dirt), blustery winds, and poor visibility. It was difficult to see much in the Tumalo bowl, and we don't have any information from the alpine in the past couple of days. There is some uncertainty, and Sunday will be challenging for getting into upper elevations, with continued overcast skies, snow or rain, and wind. While I'm glad to see more precipitation in the forecast, sometimes the best thing to do is give the mountains a bit more time. 

Regions covered