Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Dangerous wind drifted snow will be easily findable at middle and upper elevations, as sometimes evidenced by visual or audible clues such as cracking or collapsing.  While natural avalanches are possible, if you enter slopes over 30 degrees, you are likely to be the human to trigger a slide.  Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.  

 

This forecast is sponsored by Eli Mayes Dental.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    • Moderate winds able to transport snow were less than 24h ago and with 8" of new snow reported since Sunday, 1-2' windslabs will be easy to find and reactive.  
    • These slabs either rest directly on or could step down to multiple layers of weak, sugary facets from the Thanksgiving Drought.  This facets were reported above and below the Thanksgiving melt freeze crust, down 1-1.5'. 

    (12/18/2024) The weak layer of concern at this location is about 3” thick.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Watch for wet loose if the sun makes a strong appearance or you see rollerballs/pinwheels.  Many of these have already run early in the warmup, but without an overnight refreeze at lower elevations, they may continue.  

Avalanche Discussion

Recent windslabs lie on a variety of buried grains, including facets, and you wouldn't know exactly which ones they are until the avalanche is triggered.   If you see cracking, feel collapsing or hear hollow-sounding hard snow, retreat or stay away from slopes over 30 degrees.  Unfortunately, these warning signs may not be present before a slide.  This is why closing terrain for the day, making a plan, and being intentional in your travel choices are critical.  

These slabs could wrap around terrain features or behave in surprising ways.  I don't like getting surprised like that when I'm close to a consequential edge.  

Recent observations from Elkhorns 12/18 and Elkhorns 12/15 observed no natural or human triggered slab avalanches, but found propagating results in pits both days.  They also reported a small wet loose by and a surface zipper crust below 7600'.  

Even from 2 weeks ago, this snow profile shows some of the history of the snowpack and can be helpful as we begin to consider the distribution of this problem.  Elkhorns 12/6 structure .

With limited visibility and fewer people out midweek, there is uncertainty about how widespread of an avalanche cycle occurred during the storm.  Please continue to submit observations with photos, where you traveled, and if you saw avalanches or signs of instability.  

Regions covered