Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise throughout the day as warming temperatures and direct sun heat up steep slopes.   Consider moving off of steep sunny slopes if the snow feels wet and heavy or you are seeing naturally occurring roller balls/pinwheels.  Plan your route to avoid traveling underneath steep slopes that will be warming in the afternoon.  

This forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    A lack of an overnight refreeze will give the Blues an earlier start on wet loose activity.  Look for clues to wet loose activity such as roller balls or pinwheels, and look for "point releases" out of rocky outcroppings or cliff bands.  Plan your travel accordingly to avoid being on or under warming steep slopes in the afternoon.   Expect any natural or human-triggered wet loose slides to run easily on the underlying crust.  

    (4/3/2025)

    The pole drag test shows a warming and wetting snow surface.  If you are seeing similar results to the "pole drag test", you will likely notice rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes.  

    Photo: Tom Whipple

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–2.5

    Forecasters in the Blues in the last couple of weeks have noted meltwater working its way through the snowpack and pooling on top of a stout crust that is 1-2 feet from the surface.  Any time water pools on a crust like this, we become concerned that all of the overlying snow could release as a slab of wet snow.   Wet slabs are very hard to predict the timing of, sometimes even waiting until after the peak of the warming to release.  If you dig down to these crusts and notice a saturated layer of snow that looks like a 7-Eleven slurpee, then avoid traveling on or under steep slopes that have been baking in the sun.   

    Photo: Tom Whipple

Avalanche Discussion

In addition to wet avalanche concerns, the warming temperatures and sun will continue to weaken cornices along ridgelines.   If traveling along ridgelines, give cornices a wide berth, and avoid hanging out underneath these looming monsters.  

With limited observations this time of year, uncertainty is higher.  Please submit an observation here and chip into the community info-sharing.  It can be simple, short, and even anonymous.  Thank you! 

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