Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm temperatures the last few days and rain from last week has weakened the snow surface.  There is the potential for wet loose avalanches in isolated steep terrain at lower elevations during the warmest part of the day.  Avoid steep terrain over 35 degrees when you are observing pinwheels or point releases of surface snow.  Normal Caution should be used elsewhere. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Temperatures at weather stations in the Blue Mountains remained above freezing since 9:00 am on wednesday through last night.  Look for evidence of wet loose avalanches during the warmest part of the day today.  As the snow surface warms from direct sun and warm temperatures, it may loose cohesion and start small wet loose avalanches.  These could occur in terrain steeper than 35 degrees near rocks and cliff bands that hold heat and warm the snow faster.  The can start as small point releases such as in the adjacent photo.  Other signs of wet loose activity include pinwheels of snow rolling down a steep slope.   While today's wet loose problem will likely not big enough to bury a person, a wet loose avalanche could certainly knock you off of your feet injuring you or carrying you over consequential terrain such as a cliff or into a group of trees.  

    (1/5/2022)

    This photo was taken during the warmup last week.  Surface snow is warm and wet at this location, has started a point release given the steep slope angle.  Point releases and pinwheels are telltale signs of wet loose avalanche activity. 

    Photo: cm

Avalanche Discussion

On wednesday, observers at Spout Springs found an average height of snow (HS) of 140 cm (4.5ft) of snow.  In previously wind loaded areas, the snow depth was closer to 200 cm (6.5 feet).   There was a thin breakable crust over all aspects and elevations observed.  Rain runnels were evident over steeper slopes where free water from the warm rain event last week had channeled throughout the upper layers of the snowpack.   There was about 10" of damp snow under the thin surface crust.  Under that is where I believe most of the water drained to. There was a crust that was about 3" thick.  The snowpack below this consisted of consolidated strong snow with a variety of crusts in between these layers.  We will continue to track the 1/6 Rain crust as well as other crust interfaces within this snowpack.  

Please submit observations to the WAC site here.  Forecasters rely on your eyes out there to help paint a better picture.  Even just a photo of what you are seeing is extremely helpful.  Thanks! 

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