Lawinenlagebericht

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

New snowfall along with moderate to strong southwest winds have formed fresh, sensitive windslabs on leeward ridgelines and cross loaded terrain features that could be sensitive to a person or machine.  This new snow and wind blown snow has fallen on either the solstice rain crust or pockets of windblown snow that fell on last tuesday (12/22).  Although the chances may be becoming less likely, there is still the possibility to impact a deeper slab that could fail on weak sugary snow that is buried up to 2-3 feet in the snowpack.  You would not want to tango with an avalanche failing into this old weak snow.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Schneider Meadows Snotel (5400') picked up 3" of new snow and .4" of SWE (Snow Water Equivelant), however I wouldn't rule out the possibility of deeper snow totals in more favored locations.   The WAC's Kip Rand Weather station is in need of a wind direction quality check, thus there is a bit of uncertainty in recent wind loading patterns.  The new snow, along with winds in the moderate to strong category, have formed fresh sensitive windslabs along leeward ridgelines and cross loaded terrain features.  Observe localized wind loading patterns and avoid slopes that look like they have smooth and rounded surfaces.  Utilize small inconsequential test slopes to test the reactiveness of these windslabs.  Even a small windslab in the wrong location (think above terrain traps), could bury and/or injure a rider. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–3

    A less likely but much more consequential avalanche problem that we are still dealing with is the interface of very weak, sugary snow that can be found 2-3 feet down from the snow surface.   This interface was buried during the second weak of December, and another foot of snow added stress to this weak structure on 12/17.   There was reported natural avalanche activity, shooting cracks, and whumphing (all red flags!) following this event. (see observation from last week)  The likely culprit causing these avalanches was a layer of buried surface hoar that likely still persists on Northwest though East aspects at a mid elevation band. 

    Although now deeper, this layer is important to keep in the forefront of our memory as it will likely to continue to produce avalanches if impacted.  The Solstice Rain Crust (SRC) may help to keep us from impacting this layer where it is thick enough to support the weight of a person and/or machine.  If you notice that you or your machine is breaking through the SRC and find yourself in snow above your knees, you are more likely to affect this weak layer.  If that is the case, best to avoid any slopes steeper than 30 degrees. 

    If unfamiliar with dealing with this type of avalanche problem, a rider should always default to choosing simpler, lower angle, less consequential terrain in which to ride or travel.  

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