It remains possible you could trigger a wind slab avalanche today. Wind slabs will primarily be found at upper elevations and all aspects are on the table. Backcountry travelers should look for snow not affected by the wind to reduce their chances of avalanche risk. With uncertainty about the depth and distribution of weak snow that formed during the Thanksgiving Drought, it's advised to stick to lower-angle slopes.
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While triggering a wind slab at upper elevations is possible, it's wise to stay on the lookout for snow stiffened by the wind. If you are traveling and see visual clues (textured snow) or feel harder surface snow above softer snow change your course.
(12/14/2024) Photo: Victor McNeil
Daytime highs over freezing and a freezing level rising to 6,000' today will increase the chances of wet loose activity. If you see roller balls or pinwheels there's evidence the surface snow is warm and the chances of wet loose activity are on the rise. A wet loose avalanche could push you into terrain traps or other undesirable locations. It only requires a short burst of direct sun to increase the chances of wet loose activity.
The snow that fell this past weekend when the avalanche danger was rated high produced numerous natural avalanches in the Southern Wallowas. Yesterday I observed 5 naturals ranging from size 1.5-2+. Size 2 is large enough to bury and kill a human. In my snowpit, I found the Thanksgiving Drought Layer buried under 3' of snow. I'm uncertain if the naturals I observed failed on this layer of facets, or just in a mid-storm density change. These naturals all occurred between 6,900-7,400', primarily on ENE aspects, although one was on a WSW-facing slope.
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