Avalanche forecast

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Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Lingering windslabs on steep upper elevation south and southwest facing terrain is the main concern for today, especially as temperatures rise this afternoon. When traveling on the aforementioned terrain today, be on the lookout for and avoid traveling on windslabs that formed during last week's storm cycle. If the snow you're traveling on is domelike in appearance and drumlike in sound, suspect you are on a windslab. Also, if you notice shooting cracks projecting out from ski tips,  that is a definite red flag sign of instability. If you notice these red flag signs of instability, it would be a good idea to travel on slope angles less than or lower than 35 degrees in steepness.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslab avalanche activity has been observed this past week in the Southern and Western Wallowas above treeline on south facing slopes. Yesterday while traveling on southwest facing terrain I observed  lingering windslabs in a few locations. These windslabs that were formed by north and northwest winds that accompanied our most recent storm cycle are becoming less reactive as of yesterday. Continue to be wary of triggering a windslab avalanche when traveling above treeline on steep southeast, south, and southwest facing terrain. By this afternoon, if forecasted south and southwest winds  materialize, we should see our potential  windslab problem increase on north and northeast facing terrain at and above treeline. There is a copious amount of loose snow from the last storm cycle available to be transported and redeposited onto north and northeast facing terrain. We could start seeing new windslabs on this north and northwest facing terrain by this afternoon, especially in the Northern and Western Wallowas where south/southwest  winds are forecasted to be in the moderate to strong category. Be cautious when traveling on all upper elevation terrain today steeper than 35 degrees. Take the time to evaluate the snow and terrain carefully before committing to steep alpine terrain. 

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    This past week I have spent a fair amount of time touring in the Western Wallowas where I have observed a lot of loose dry snow from our most recent storm cycle at most aspects and elevations. Within this loose dry snow I have observed mostly decent stability. However, on very steep north facing terrain I did observe small, skier triggered loose dry avalanches on a couple of occasions. Today, be wary of triggering a loose dry avalanche if you find yourself traveling on or through  very steep north facing terrain. Before committing to that very steep north facing slope, think about the consequences if you were to get caught in such an avalanche. Could this potential sluff carry a rider through trees, into a gully, or over a cliff band ? Ask yourself that before you commit to that very steep line today because the potential to get caught in a dry loose avalanche on very steep terrain exists.

Regions covered