Boletín de aludes

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Fri
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
2 · Moderado
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 2 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

It remains likely you could trigger a wind slab avalanche today.  Wind slabs will primarily be found at mid and 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.  

This forecast is sponsored by Eli Mayes Dental.  

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Winds were moving considerable amounts of snow yesterday in the Northern Wallowas.  Triggering even a smaller windslab could have severe consequences as the weak snow formed during the Thanksgiving Drought (late November-early December high pressure) is now buried more than 1' below the surface.    If you are traveling and see visual clues (textured snow) or feel harder surface snow (that may be drumlike) above softer snow change your course.  

    (12/19/2024) Photo: Victor McNeil

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–1.5

    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.  

Avalanche Discussion

We are dealing with a more complex snowpack than we were a week ago.  The combination of a new load (slab) resting atop the weak snow formed during the Thanksgiving Drought our chances of triggering a scary avalanche have increased.  If you dig down below the most recent storm snow and find a layer of softer faceted snow, then you've identified our problem.  This layer can produce collapsing, shooting cracks and natural avalanches, but it may not.  Often times when we have a persistent weak layer buried in the snowpack we may not get any Red Flags.  Group management and terrain selection are critical and this is a great time to look for lower-angle terrain and avoid traveling under steep slopes.  Please send us your observations, we appreciate it.  

Presentations: 

  • December 19th, 5 PM Barley Browns Taproom: Join WAC Forecaster and EOU Professor Kelly McNeil as she presents her latest research projects combining Public Health and Avalanche Education.  

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