Avalanche forecast

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Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Warm temperatures will continue to make the snow wet and heavy. This change will stress buried weak layers in the snowpack. Wind Slabs from yesterday's storm still linger. With many overlapping avalanche problems, it is best to avoid traveling in avalanche terrain today.

Today's forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    There is always uncertainty about how persistent slab avalanches will react to change. We do know that any change makes them more likely to occur. The addition of new wet heavy snow yesterday and warm temperatures today may test the balance and cause these avalanches to release. Triggering one of the 2-4' deep slabs would have disastrous consequences.

    Avoiding terrain where this problem lies is the best way to stay out of harm's way.

     

     

     

    (1/14/2024)

    This crack is caused by the snowpack failing on a buried persistent layer.

    Photo: Victor McNeil

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    New snow and wind on Wednesday into Thursday built wind slabs. You will most likely find one of these wind slabs on north through east aspects near and above the treeline. These slabs are likely becoming harder to trigger because they've had some time to settle. The warming today throws a wild card into the mix. These wind slabs may get easier to trigger as they become more dense throughout the day.

    Some good clues to look for with wind slabs are a stiffened snow surface, rippled/wavy texture, and cornices along ridgelines.  A wind slab avalanche could be enough of a trigger to step down into deeper persistent weak layers under the latest storm snow.  This would create a much larger and more destructive avalanche.  

     

     

    (1/11/2024) Photo: Caleb Merrill

Avalanche Discussion

Snow Levels will continue to rise to around 7000 feet today. This makes wet avalanches more likely, especially in the below treeline band.  Small Wet Loose avalanches were reported yesterday in the Southern Wallowas. Expect the prevalence of this avalanche problem to increase today. Remember that even a small slide in consequential terrain can result in a poor outcome. Keep an eye out for rollerballs and pinwheels, these are the first signs of wet loose avalanches and a message that it is time to pick terrain less than 30 degrees or go home.

As mentioned above there is much uncertainty around what makes persistent slab avalanches release. When we have increased uncertainty we must increase our margins of safety. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making remain essential to avoid this avalanche problem.

Continued vigilance around wind slabs is warranted today. While the likelihood of triggering one of these slides may be decreasing, it is not gone. Triggering a wind slab could be enough to cause an underlying persistent slab avalanche to release. This would be a deadly combination. Excercise caution as you travel and be wary of slopes that are wind loaded.

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