Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago.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

The new snow will need time to settle.  Avalanches are possible throughout the terrain, and at higher elevations they could be large enough to bury or injure a rider.  Be particularly cautious on north and east slopes where wind blown snow may overlay weak snow from before the storm.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Our field team observed relatively Light amounts of blowing snow on Sunday in the near treeline terrain that we were traveling.  As wind speeds increase overnight, I am expecting a different situation on Monday.  Wind Slab avalanches will be likely and could be large given that storm totals may exceed a foot of new snow.  With periods of sunshine and relatively Light winds on Monday, folks may be venturing into the higher elevations.  Don't be fooled by relatively mild conditions.  Choose conservative terrain if you are riding up high.  I'll be avoiding steep, unsupported slopes that lie beneath ridgelines or behind features that get crossloaded by the wind.  Recent cornice growth will be a great indicator of where the wind has been blowing snow, since cornices have been pretty small recently.

    Wind Slab avalanches may be particularly reactive and larger than expected on sheltered north slopes that previously held weak faceted snow.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    On Sunday, members of our field team observed signs of instability in the new storm snow (see picture). Storm snow depths were 8 inches or less at that time, but it has continued to snow throughout the day and into the overnight period.  The timing of Saturday night's transition from rain to snow means that we have a bit of variation in snowpack structure throughout the range and especially by elevation.  On sheltered, north slopes this latest storm snow is falling on weak faceted snow and avalanches will be more likely on these slopes.

    The snowpack on Monday will have to "prove" itself.  I expect we will see shallow Storm Slab and Dry Loose instabilities, and in many cases they may not be large enough to bury or injure a rider.  As you move up in elevation or onto shadier slopes (where the underlying snow is weaker) I expect they could increase in size.     

    (2/8/2026)

    Skier triggered Dry Loose on a Northeast slope at 7,400 ft.

    photo:  Jonas Tarlen

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