Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You are likely to trigger avalanches occurring in new and wind-blown snow today in exposed terrain at mid and upper elevations.   These will be especially sensitive where the new snow sits above a firm crust.  Look for obvious clues to instability such as recent avalanches and cracking of slabby snow under your boards or machine.  At lower elevations below yesterday's snow line, lingering wet-loose avalanches could occur in wet and unconsolidated snow.   

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In terrain exposed to the wind, snow has been blown into dense drifts or slabs of snow that will likely remain sensitive today.  Large avalanches could be triggered in exposed terrain at mid and upper elevations.  These avalanches will run fast and far where the bed surface is a firm crust.  Look for clues to wind loading such as a rippled or stiff snow surface, cracking around your skis or under your machine, and fresh cornice development along ridgelines.  Use small test slopes with little consequence to test the reactivity of fresh wind slabs.  

    In wind-sheltered areas, storm slabs are likely to be less sensitive than wind slabs today, but you should remain vigilant.  Yesterday, during the peak intensity of the precipitation during mid-day, storm slabs were easily intentionally triggered in any terrain over 30 degrees.  See photos below.  

    (3/12/2025)

    Rippled snow texture was a good telltale sign of recent wind loading. 

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

  • Loose Wet

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

    Below yesterday's snow line, a rain-on-snow event occurred, weakening the strength of the upper snowpack.  Look for signs of recent wet loose activity in steep terrain on all aspects at lower elevations.   There should be a stabilizing trend of this avalanche problem as the temperature drops into the weekend.   You can use small inconsequential test slopes to push some wet snow and see how easily it entrains more unconsolidated sloppy snow.   Avoid riding above terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, and creeks where even a small wet loose avalanche could pile up enough snow to bury or injure you.  

    Wet Loose avalanche debris following a rain event in the Southern Wallowas (2/26/25)

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

Avalanche Discussion

Storm totals in the area range from 9" in the Northern Wallowas and Elkhorns to likely 10-12" in the Southern Wallowas over 7,000'.   Yesterday in the Western Wallowas, storm snow remained touchy in any terrain greater than 30 degrees in steepness.  Observers intentionally triggered numerous avalanches 4-6" deep through ski cutting.  These avalanches propagated widely across terrain features and ran fast and far on a firm crust bed surface.   Winds were moderate to strong all day yesterday and into the evening.  This has blown the snow into deeper slabs that will remain sensitive to the weight of a rider today.  

In wind-sheltered terrain, be on the lookout for storm slabs that could remain sensitive today.  The best way to assess this is through hand pits:  isolate a block of snow using your hand or ski pole and pull on the back of it to see how well it is bonded to the old snow surface.   If you can pick up the slab of snow and it cleanly shears off the old snow surface, you should remain weary of storm slab avalanches and avoid steep terrain.  

While a cooling trend is ongoing, the chances of triggering wet avalanches will decrease.   However, stabilization of a saturated upper snowpack can be slow to occur.  Remember that around an inch of water has fallen below the snowline in the last 24 hours.  If you find yourself in wet sloppy snow, avoid steep terrain above terrain traps.  

It is time to take a step back in your terrain selection.   To decrease your odds of getting caught in an avalanche, stick to simple terrain under 30 degrees and avoid recently wind-loaded terrain features.  If traveling in avalanche terrain, remember good travel and communication protocols:  Expose only one person at a time, keep eyes on your partners, and regroup well clear of avalanche path runouts.   Keep clear lines of communication open with your partners, respect the veto power of someone who wants to dial it back, and be clear with your intentions.  

Engage with your backcountry community and forecasters.   Submit an observation here and help us reduce uncertainty.  It can be simple, short, and even anonymous.  Thank you! 

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