Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The primary avalanche concern will be wet snow avalanches on slopes in the direct sun at all elevations. If you observe surface snow becoming wet, heavy, or slushy consider moving to more shaded slopes out of the direct sun. Keep an eye on the terrain around and below you; terrain traps such as rocks, cliffs, and trees can increase the consequences of getting caught in an avalanche. Although unlikely, there could be some remnant pockets of old wind drifted snow that could avalanche in isolated extreme terrain at mid and upper elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The daytime high temperature will be increasing on Friday and the sun will be out. Slopes in the direct sun will be cooking. As the surface snow heats up it can loose cohesion leading to wet loose avalanches. Most wet loose avalanches will be small, but they can run long distances on sustained steep slopes. Use your evaluation skills to recognize when this problem is coming on. Pinwheels and roller balls are good indicators that the surface snow is heating up. Visibly wet and slushy surface snow down to 6" or more is another indicator.  Use timing and aspect to minimize your exposure to this problem, especially when travelling in sustained steep terrain. If you see the indicators of wet loose avalanches, consider moving to shaded slopes or slopes out of the direct sun. 

    (4/3/2025) Photo: Aaron Hartz

    Roller balls on a SW aspect above treeline. This is a good indicator that the wet loose problem is coming on. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs are trending to being stubborn to non-reactive. Isolated steep slopes may still have some lingering patches of wind slab that could slide. Take the time to do some evaluation in a safe spot before committing to steep and consequential slopes. 

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