Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warm temperatures could cause small avalanches on steep, sunny slopes. As the day warms up, use caution in exposed/extreme terrain where a small avalanche could have high consequences.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    We had about 1-2” of new snow over the past weekend. The wet loose activity will be limited to where this recent snow fell. The older snow below is unlikely to be affected by warming temperatures. As always, use caution in exposed or extreme terrain where losing your footing could have high consequences. 

    On Wednesday, snow surfaces were beginning to soften by early afternoon, and I was able to trigger some pinwheels on test slopes; however, I did not see any wet loose avalanches while touring.

    On Thursday, we will continue to see warm temperatures during the day and overnight temperatures hovering above freezing. Remember, "low danger" does not mean no danger. Be on the lookout for wet snow surfaces, pinwheels, and roller balls. These can be precursors to wet loose avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday I toured out to Broken Top. Temperatures were warm, and I recorded a high of 53F at 8,000ft. While traveling, I found a variety of snow surfaces from crusts, old wind-affected snow, preserved powder on shady north aspects, and wind scouring. By the afternoon, the upper few inches of the surface became wet on southern slopes. 

Regions covered