Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Wet Loose avalanches will be possible on Tuesday.  The extent of Wet Loose avalanches depends upon how much the clouds clear.  The weather forecast is calling for Few clouds in the early afternoon which is when avalanche activity will be most likely.  South facing slopes receive the most heat from the sun and typically have the most Wet Loose avalanche activity.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet Loose avalanches occurr when heat from the sun and warm daytime temperatures cause the surface snow to melt and lose cohesion.  On many of these spring days the snow refreezes during the night and avalanche danger associated with Wet Loose avalanches is Low first thing in the morning.  As the day heats up and more surface snow is melted the likelihood and size of avalanches increases.  Wet Loose avalanches usually occurr first in very steep terrain, and beneath rocks, cliffs and trees that absorb heat.  Plan ahead and time your tour to ensure fun and safe riding.  As the surface snow becomes very slushy and you start seeing pinwheels or natural Wet Loose activity it is time to find cooler slopes.

    Most Wet Loose avalanches will be small on Tuesday.  The one exception might be isolated large slopes that really heat up; I'm thinking of the terrain above the Thayer Glacier on North Sister as one good example.

Regions covered