Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

AN AVALANCHE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SOUTHERN WALLOWAS FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

A warm potent winter storm has brought over 2 feet of snow at elevations above 7,000' and 2.5" of water to lower elevation bands in the Southern Wallowas in the last 24 hours. Snow levels have hovered between 5500' and 6800'. Most Snotel sites in the Southern Wallowas are reporting over 2" of water since yesterday morning with rain likely below 6500'.  Rain on snow elevates the avalanche hazard quickly and creates unstable conditions.  Expect reactive wet slab instability (12-18" thick) to exist for the next 24 hours at all elevations below 6500' and storm slabs up to 2' thick to exist above 7,000'. This new snow load combined with strong southwesterly winds on a weak existing snowpack may trigger large and dangerous avalanches in many areas at upper elevations.Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    In the Southern Wallowas 18 - 24" of new snow has fallen above 7,000' elevation in the last 24 hours. The weight of all this new snow has stressed the snowpack to its breaking point.  There remains a lingering possibility a skier or rider could trigger a storm slab avalanche and the weight of the slab could "step down" and initiate a failure deeper in the snowpack in a persistent weak layer. The resulting avalanche could be catastrophic. The best way to stay safe in the backcountry the next few days is to avoid avalanche terrain all together. Stay off and out from under slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    A warm front impacting our area last night and through this morning has brought warm temperatures and rain to lower elevations. Most Snotel sites in NE Oregon are indicating a rain line hovering between 6,000 - 7,000 feet. Schneider Meadows (5400') at 5am has a temp of 35F. Any time you get rain on snow the snowpack can become unstable quickly. With all this new snow, the additional weight and loss of strength brought by the rain could produce wet slab avalanches 1-2' deep on a variety of aspects at elevations from 5,000 - 7,000'. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid and stay out from underneath slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

Regions covered