Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If the weather forecast comes to fruition, avalanche danger will rise during the day on Thursday and Friday.  New snow will easily "sluff" off the old snow and associated rain crust (2/5), which is our current snow surface.  Once we pick up 6-8" expect to see storm slabs on slopes >35 degrees.   As the depth of new snow increases, so should your terrain margins.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Dry loose avalanches aren't going to bury you (generally)  but can boss you around and push you and your machine into consequential terrain.    You will often begin to see, these small snow slides start on steep terrain, or around trees and rocks.  They are a good indicator the surface snow is uncohesive, and at this point is sitting on top of a stout rain crust that formed during the end of the 2/5 time period.   If you see many dry loose avalanches, it's a good indicator to dial back your slope angles.  

Avalanche Discussion

From our trip into the Blues yesterday, we are set up to see some avalanche activity this weekend.  The last major storm left in its wake a stout rain crust (5/2), observed on all aspects and elevations up to 5,200'.   In some areas, the wind had removed all of the snow atop this crust, and in more protected areas 3" of light density snow were sitting above the crust.  The Blues look to receive some of the greatest snowfall accumulations through this weekend.   Our snowpack tests and profiles indicated poor snowpack structure above the 1/12 rain crust.  This crust is so thick, it's essentially the new ground layer we are building off of.  Check out the video we recorded yesterday for a clearer understanding.  

Regions covered