Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Spring conditions will be in full swing on Friday. The main problem to watch for are wet loose avalanches. Wet loose avalanches will be small, but be cautious in steep and exposed terrain where moving wet snow could cause you to loose your stance.

Cornices are lingering on some alpine ridetops. Be catious as you approach ridges espeically if you don't have a good vantage point to check out if a cornice is present. 

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Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet loose avalanches are all about timing. Monitor the snow surface. As the surface becomes slushy, or if you see rollerballs, these are good indicators that wet loose avalanches can happen. These will be more of a concern in steep terrain that has some exposure to cliffs or falling hazard. 

    Use timing and choose aspects to not only give you the best skiing, but also to avoid steep and consequential slopes when the snow surface is becoming wet and slushy. If your boots sink into the wet snow more than 6-8", wet loose avalanches may become a thing. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

The upper snowpack has already had a few days to respond to the warm days and cooler nights. Any avalanche activity will be related to warming of the surface snow.

Some very small wet loose avalanches have been observed over the last few days and I expect they will continue to be small.

Regions covered