Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow overnight and continuing today will increase the chances of triggering a storm slab avalanche.  These fresh slabs will be especially touchy on slopes with an existing crust layer from this past week's warm temperatures.  Give the new snow a chance to bond before committing to larger, more open terrain features and keep an eye out for Red Flags.  

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Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The snow is starting to pile up in the Blue Mountains.  With warm temperatures this past week, except that the new snow will need time to bond to the old crusts on all aspects that got hit by the sun.  Use caution when traveling in avalanche terrain, as you could likely trigger a storm slab large enough to bury a person.  Steep convex rolls, and other unsupported terrain features will be the prime locations to trigger an avalanche today.  

    Step off your machine or out of your skis and dig a quick hand pit to determine how well the new snow is bonding to the old snow surfaces.  If you observe poor bonding, stick to simpler terrain.  

Avalanche Discussion

The snow is starting to pile up in the Blue Mountains.  At 5 AM, the High Ridge snotel was reporting 3" and Milkshakes snotel was showing 9".  The storm that is now upon the Blue Mountains is from the West, which is the perfect angle for snow to accumulate in good numbers for the Blues.  The National Weather Service is forecasting 12-18" by Tuesday morning for the Nothern Blues.  Winds will blow from the West today, predominately in the light category, with moderate gusts.  You may see small wind slabs forming at ridgelines on East aspects.  

Regions covered