Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Early in the week the Blue Mountains received 12-24" of new snow. The new snow is not bonding well to the old snow surface. Loose dry avalanches could be triggered on steep solar aspects where slick melt-freeze crusts exist. On northerly aspects instability exists at the old/new interface down 12-24". Carefully evaluate any slopes > 30 degrees for instability and avoid possible trigger points like convex rolls, unsupported slopes, and leeward terrain features near ridgeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    By Tuesday of this week the Blue Mountains had picked up 12-24" of new snow. The storm snow fell on a weak and uncohesive old snow surface. Observations from the field yesterday found unstable conditions at the old/new interface down anywhere from a foot to two feet depending on your location. Carefully evaluate slopes > 30 degrees for instability. If you find over a foot of new snow sitting on weak layer of uncohesive snow, then move to lower angle terrain. Avoid convex rolls, unsupported slopes, and pockets of wind-drifted snow on E-S aspects near and below ridgeline.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Valentine's weekend had us feeling the love as temperatures climbed well above freezing in most locations. The sunny and warm conditions warmed our hearts, but nare I say, it could not last. On Saturday, temperatures dropped forming a stout melt-freeze crust on most solar and south-facing aspects. This past weekend a potent storm system brought upwards of 2" of water equivelent to the Blue Mountains with over 3" of water shown at Milkshakes Snotel at 5600'. This translates into about 12-24" of new snow depending on your location. Observations from the field yesterday indicate the new snow is not bonding well to slick crusts on solar aspects where slope angles approach 35 degrees or more. Avoid steep slopes where 6" or more of new snow is sitting on melt-freeze crusts from last week's warm up.

Avalanche Discussion

The Blue Mountains received significant amounts of snow early in the week. Most locations above 5,000' received 12" or more. This new snow is not bonding well to the old variable snow surfaces that range from stout melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects to weak uncohesive snow on more northerly slopes. It is time to be very dilegent in your snowpack assessment. There is alot of variability in snowpack structure and instablity across aspects. Do your homework before dropping in or on any slope greater than 30 degrees. If you are uncertain about the hazard - move to lower angle terrain. Remember...ski and ride one at a time. Avoid trigger points like convex rolls, rocky terrain, and wind-drifted areas below ridgeline. Choose slopes that are concave and don't funnel you into trees or into a terrain trap like a gully. Now is the time to dail it back and be cautious.

Regions covered