Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet Loose avalanches will be likely on sunny slopes.  Most of these will be small, but they could be large enough to knock a rider off their feet or injure them on steep South slopes.  Cornice collapses are also possible.  Time your tour to find the best safe skiing and consider exiting terrain or moving to cooler slopes if you start seeing natural slides or the surface snow becomes slushy and deep.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Daytime high temperatures are forecast to climb throughout the week.  These warm temperatures and sunshine lead to Wet Loose avalanches later in the day.  The problem is greatest on steep South slopes that heat up the most.

    The good news is that Wet Loose avalanches are often more predictable than our other avalanche characters.  When we see cold, clear nights, the snow surface refreezes and avalanche hazard is Low to start the day out.  As the day heats up and the snow melts, the hazard rises.  When the top few inches are melted, that makes for great riding.  As the melted snow becomes deeper, or if you start seeing natural avalanches from steep slopes or beneath cliffs and rocks, that's a good time to change your aspect or head home.

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices are unpredicatable and right now they are being weakened by the warm temperatures.  When large chunks of cornices fall, they can trigger other avalanches like the Wet Loose ones that are likely tomorrow.

Avalanche Discussion

It sure felt like spring today.  With continuing high pressure in the weather forecast I'll be paying attention to both the forecast high and low temperatures as well as cloud cover to help find the best riding and also think about how dangerous a day might be.  Cold clear nights, and then sunny days that aren't too too warm usually provide the most predictably nice riding.

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