Avalanche forecast

Southern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today across all elevations and aspects.  Significant snowfall in the forecast today (16") will overload the snowpack.  Very conservative route and terrain selection are encouraged if you plan on traveling in the mountains today.  

This forecast is sponsored by Winding Waters River Expeditions.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    There is a lot of snow available for transport and moderate to strong winds will be building dense slabs of dangerous snow today.  Expect wind slabs to grow in size rapidly today, and could break 1-4' in depth.  Avoidance is the best call, as the wind can load steep terrain above you, and a location you may deem safe will likely not be.  You don't really need to look for signs of wind-drifted snow today, just take our word for it.  

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The forecast for today is calling for up to 16" of snow in the Northern Wallowas.  This new snow is considerably heavier than all of the lighter-density snow we've had recently.  With stronger more cohesive snow sitting above lighter, less cohesive snow we have an "upside down" situation.  Not only will travel be very challenging, but this is way too much of a new load for mother nature to handle in such a short time period.  Stay well away from any terrain >30 degrees today.  

Avalanche Discussion

As our former WAC ED Kip Rand used to say, "this is a good day to stay home and bake cookies."  Sometimes it's best to let mother nature do her thing, and not interfere when an epic storm cycle is taking place.  A good analogy I like to use is if you were lifting weights, and you kept incrementally increasing the weight you are lifting, you would be able to manage the load.  But if all of a sudden you made a sudden major increase in weight, you wouldn't be able to handle the additional load.  The snowpack is the same way when we experience rapid change (significant snowfall, moderate wind, rapid warmup) we need to let the snowpack do its thing.  

Wet Loose Avalanches:  With freezing levels going up to around 6,000' today, and warm daytime highs don't be surprised if you see some wet loose activity.  A wet loose avalanche starts out typically around rocks, trees or in very steep terrain >35 degrees.  A snowball starts moving downhill, collecting more wet snow and fanning out.  While a wet loose avalanche may not kill you, it can still boss you around.  

Cornices: We have been watching significant cornice growth over the past week, and these monsters will continue to grow.  You don't want to spend time climbing slopes with large cornices overhead.  When cornices break loose they can impact weak snow layers buried more deeply in the snowpack than the weight of a skier or rider.  Keep in mind, cornices connect to terrain features much further back than most folks realize.  You don't want to cross the line, and end up on the wrong side of an overhanging mass of snow.  

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