Avalanche forecast

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago.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

When we have new snow accompanied by wind, we often see avalanches on the slopes that the wind has blown the new snow onto.  On Monday we will see a similar pattern, but with such small amounts of new snow, most of these instabilities will be too shallow to constitute avalanches.  That being said, I can imagine Wind Slab avalanches occurring on those slopes that receive the most wind blown snow.  Make sure you understand how deep the new snow is before riding steep north and east faces up high.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    On Sunday, I observed very shallow Wind Slabs developing.  With about an inch of new snow throughout the day, we wouldn't expect more than a 5 inch thick Wind Slab on Monday, and under most circumstances that wouldn't do more than knock a rider off their feet.  However, given the reactivity in the new snow that I observed today, I think it would be foolhardy not to assess lee slopes before committing to them especially on larger features.  Use smaller, and less steep, representative slopes to determine how reactive the new snow is and how deep Wind Slabs are.

    (2/1/2026)

    On Sunday I observed very shallow but reactive wind loaded snow (7,400 North)

    Photo: Gabriel Coler

Avalanche Discussion

Several systems during the last few days have brought an incomplete refresh to the landscape.  Below treeline conditions are a bit exciting (not in the best way), but up high things are a bit smoother and cleaner looking than they were last week.  Of course, it didn't snow anywhere near enough.  The newest couple of inches overlays a variety of old snow surfaces.  Overall I found the riding to be decent on Sunday anywhere that was open to the sky and untracked!

Regions covered