Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above freezing temperatures and rain on snow overnight continue to present the possibility of triggering wet loose avalanches on steep slopes. If you observe roller balls, pinwheels, or if you sink down above your boot tops when you step off your sled it's time to change aspect, move higher in elevation, or avoid traveling on or under steep slopes.  

Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onX Backcountry is a GPS  navigation and mapping tool designed with your backcountry objectives in mind, equipped with Avalanche Forecast and Slope Angle layers, Offline Maps and more.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    If you observe the surface snow forming roller balls, pinwheels, or if you find yourself sinking in above your boot tops... it's time to consider simpler terrain.  The Blues experienced some rain on snow overnight and a rain/snow mix is likely to continue this morning before turning to all snow later on. Stay off and out from underneath steep slopes >35 degrees in the afternoon where the stout rain crust from last week will likely create a slick bed surface for the snow from earlier in the week to slide on.

Avalanche Discussion

The problem for today is temperatures have remained above freezing at many locations overnight with up to .2" of rain happening up to 5500'. On steep slopes >35 degrees it may continue to be possible to trigger wet loose slides. While these slides may be small, the consequences are not. If taken off your sled or skis you could accelerate rapidly on the rain crust and be pummelled into trees, rocks, or taken over cliffs. The consequences for body and limb could be severe.

As the Blues pick up snow throughout the day, 4" or more, keep an eye on how the new snow is bonding to the old snow surface. If you see instability or a lack of bonding between the new and old layers, then move to lower angle terrain.

Regions covered