Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avoid recently wind-loaded slopes where you could still trigger a lingering slab of cohesive wind-packed snow.   While the chances of triggering a deeper persistent slab avalanche have decreased, continue to use caution, especially in areas where the snowpack is thinner and cohesive snow sits 2-3 feet above the weak January facets.  Warming temperatures and mostly clear skies will increase the chances of triggering wet loose avalanches in steep solar terrain this afternoon. 

This forecast is sponsored by Quickhatch Provisions. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Dense snow from Tuesday was blown into sensitive drifts along ridgelines, under cornices, and on exposed mid-slope features.  A recent natural wind slab avalanche was reported from Eagle Cap Mountain Guides on Burger Butte on a NW aspect at 8,000'.  It was likely released during the storm on Tuesday.  Evidence of wind loading was clear to observers in the area of the Catherine Creek Snopark yesterday.  Rippled snow textures and drifted roads were observed in the middle and upper elevation bands. 

    In areas where you find weak January facets 2-3 feet from the surface, a new snow avalanche has the potential to step down into this older snow creating a larger avalanche.  If you experience shooting cracks or whumphing of the snowpack, you are getting a free clue to dial back your terrain choices.  

    (2/20/2025)

    D2 Windslab Avalanche released naturally likely on 2/19.  Note the wind-loading just below a corniced ridgeline. 

    Photo: Victor McNeil

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warming temperatures and sunny skies will soften and warm the snow surface this afternoon, allowing wet loose avalanches to be triggered on solar aspects in terrain steeper than 35 degrees.  Yesterday, observers in the Western Wallowas saw several wet loose avalanches in the mid-elevation band on Southwest aspects.  If you find yourself in snow that is unconsolidated and sloppy, avoid riding above terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, and creeks- or just move to a shadier aspect where the riding will likely be more enjoyable.  

    D1 wet loose natural avalanches. 

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    While becoming increasingly less likely, it is still not out of the question to trigger a deep and unsurvivable avalanche on the weak January facets that sit 3-4' below the snow surface.  Observers are finding mixed results in their snowpack tests, and in many places, the snowpack structure is missing a firmer bed surface layer below these facets for an avalanche to slide. 

    While the danger level has dropped to moderate due to the likelihood of triggering these avalanches, don't be mistaken- the consequences of triggering an avalanche on this weak layer remains significant.  Treat this problem as a "low-likelihood/high-consequence" possibility and evaluate consequential terrain on a slope-scale level.  

    The most likely place to trigger an avalanche on these weak January facets will be in areas that hold a shallower snowpack with a cohesive slab of snow above them.  In some protected areas in the region, Surface Hoar has been observed sitting above the January Facets.   This set up could be particularly sensitive. 

    Persistent slabs often resist showing their hand, and may or may not offer obvious signs of instability such as shooting cracks or collapsing of the snowpack.  Continue to use careful terrain and group management techniques: Only expose one person to a slope at a time, keep eyes on, and always regroup well clear of avalanche runouts.  

    (2/20/2025)

    This natural avalanche was reported along the Anthony Lakes Highway at an elevation below 6,000.  It was reported to have failed on the January facets.  Photo: Logan Kerns

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

What Happened? 

Tuesday brought snow to the Western and Southern Wallowas, where 6-8" of snow was deposited, but just a trace of new snow was reported in the Northern Wallowas.  There was plenty of evidence of recent wind loading yesterday with groomed snowmobile roads drifted over, rippled snow textures, and natural wind slab avalanches. 

What's does it look like....and what is the likelihood? 

New snow and wind slab avalanches will likely be stabilizing further today.  The afternoon will bring increased chances of triggering a wet-loose avalanche in steep terrain (>35 degrees) on solar aspects.  

To re-emphasize the Persistent Slab problem, just because it is unlikely, doesn't mean it's impossible.  The way I see it, it's the old "needle in the haystack" scenario.  Just because you see yellow on the danger scale, doesn't mean it's good to go.  If you get it wrong and are mid-slope when a persistent slab avalanche releases, the outcome will not look good. 

What to do about it? 

Hand shears, as well as riding over or ski cutting small (inconsequential) test slopes will give you a lot of information today as to how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces.   

If you are seeing rollerballs/pinwheels or sinking up to your ankles in wet sloppy snow, retreat to shadier aspects and avoid riding above terrain traps. Throughout the weekend, if we get the rain on snow that is forecasted, this problem will become much more real.  

You will find many long-time professionals in the area still sticking to slopes 30 degrees or less to manage the Persistent Slab problem.  Continue to dig down and investigate the structure of the snowpack.  If you find hard over soft with a firm sliding (bed) surface below, you have all the right ingredients for a slab avalanche.  

Use terrain to your advantage and manage your group well. 

You can't get caught up in an avalanche if you aren't in avalanche terrain.  Evaluate the terrain carefully, and if you decide to engage in avalanche terrain, manage your communication and your partners well.  Only expose one person at a time to avalanche-prone slopes, keep eyes on them, and regroup in areas that are well clear of the runout of an avalanche path.  

It's been great to see all of the recent observations.  Keep 'em coming.  Add value to your forecast.  Submit an observation here.  

 

 

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