Lawinenlagebericht

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
Keine Stufe
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
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Kernpunkte

In the last week, the Blues have recieved  a foot of new snow above 5,000 feet.   Winds will increase today, blowing this snow into sensitive drifts along exposed ridgelines.  It is possible to trigger loose snow avalanches with your machine or skis in sheltered terrain on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.   Many rocks, logs, and stumps exist just below the snow surface.  

Today's forecast is sponsored by: M. Crow in Lostine, OR. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds will increase today, mostly out of the South and Southeast.   There is plenty of snow available for transport, and wind slabs will develop- increasing the hazard through the day.   Wind slab avalanche problems may be present lower on slopes than you might expect if wind speeds reach the forecasted values.    Mid-slope terrain features may also become cross-loaded.     

    Look for clues to wind slab development:  A stiff and rippled texture, snow stripped terrain upwind of loaded slopes, cornice development, and fresh dunes of snow drifts.   Avoid wind-loaded slopes steeper than 30 degrees in steepness.  

    (2/10/2026)

    Look for stiff and textured snow as a clue to wind slab development.  Other clues include wind stripped terrain upwind of loaded ridgelines, cornice development, and dune like drifts.  Shooting cracks on the surface of the snow may be present in sensitive wind slabs.  If you see this, it is a clear sign to choose less consequential terrain.  

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

  • Loose Dry

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

    On shady slopes that are steeper than 35 degrees, you could entrain loose snow large enough to drag you over unforgiving terrain.  Use small but steep test slopes to check the reactivity of the surface snow before committing to consequential terrain.  

    (2/14/2026)

    6900' NE on Tenderfoot Peak (northern wallowas) on 2/14/26.  Intentionally triggered dry loose small/D1 avalanche that failed on the Valentine's day interface, 20cm or 8" deep.  This broke for 250' wide and ran for 150' in 35-40 deg terrain.  

    Photo: Tom Whipple

Avalanche Discussion

There is plenty of light dry snow above 5,000 feet.  As winds increase this weekend, be on the lookout for signs of wind-drifted snow forming wind slabs.   If entering zones where the wind seems to have made large, firm drifts, ease off steep terrain.    

In addition to the developing wind slab problem, it will also be possible to find small dry loose avalanches in sheltered terrain that is steeper than 35 degrees in steepness.  Manage your sluff and consider the consequences of a small loose snow avalanche if you happen to be above terrain traps.  

Check out the video below for an update on conditions in the Blues.  

If you are out in the mountains, please send us an observation of what you saw. All observations are noteworthy and greatly help the forecasters. If you don't want everyone to see where you went you can set it to private and only the forecasters will see it.

 

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