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Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Warm temperatures today will increase the likelihood of triggering a wet snow avalanche in steep terrain.  As the sun heats up the snow surface wet loose avalanches will be easiest to trigger in the morning on East aspects and continue around the compass dial covering South through West aspects.  Steer clear of cornices as they will become less supported during this warming event.  If you are punching into wet snow to your boot tops it's time to look for non-avalanche terrain.  

Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onX Backcountry is a GPS navigation and mapping tool designed with your backcountry objectives in mind, equipped with Avalanche Forecast and Slope Angle layers, Offline Maps and more.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–1.5

    We are experiencing some of the warmest temperatures of the season thus far, and today will be no exception.  Wet loose avalanches start out in steep terrain, often around rocks and trees.  They can pick up momentum and material when they are sliding on an old crust layer.  If you observe roller balls and pinwheels, these are good indicators that the surface snow is warming and losing strength.   

    This weekend the mountains are not supposed to receive a hard freeze overnight, which makes avalanche conditions more unpredictable and less safe.  If you are sinking to your boot tops in wet, slushy snow it's time to limit your exposure and exit the field.  You don't want to be caught traveling on or under a sun-drenched slope later in the day.  

    (3/23/2022)

    Roller Balls and Pinwheels are a good indicator that the surface snow is warming and losing strength.  

    Photo: VM

  • Wet Slabs

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

    As the surface continues to melt, water is percolating into the snowpack.  When this meltwater hits an old crust layer, it often pools on the crust and lubricates this bed surface.  Unpredictable in nature and timing wet slab avalanches are more destructive than Wet Loose.  We currently have plenty of old crusts buried in our snowpack, and with little to no overnight freeze, the opportunity for wet slab activity is possible.  

    To avoid this avalanche problem, stick to lower angle slopes as the surface becomes sun-drenched, and don't travel on large (and steep) open slopes later in the day.  

Avalanche Discussion

We are experiencing a major transition from a winter snowpack into a spring snowpack this week and into this weekend.  Remember the snowpack doesn't like an abrupt change in a short time period, and we need to give mother nature some space during these times of change.  Warmups of this nature, along with little to no overnight freeze can activate old weak layers that have been dormant in our snowpack.  In the Southern Wallowas for example we know of a layer of buried surface hoar that was reactive in our snowpack tests during the weekend of March 12.  Go back and check out our observations from that time period.  

Free meltwater is traveling down into our snowpack, which weakens the structure.  There are many old melt-freeze and sun crusts in the upper couple of feet of our snowpack which could be prime candidates for a wet slab to release on.  The timing of a wet slab is nearly impossible to predict, so avoidance is the key.  If you are sinking to your boot tops in wet snow it's time to change aspect (think North), increase your elevation (if you can), or Go Home!  You don't want to travel on or under a sun-drenched slope at the end of your day.  

Cornices should also be given a wide berth.  They will be sagging and can add a lot of weight to the snowpack if one releases above you.  

Please send us your photos and observations or use the hashtag #wallowaavalanchecenter on social media.  

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