Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Recent winds have likely developed fresh slabs in the alpine and near treeline.  These slabs are sitting on a firm crust from last week's warmup and could travel fast on the surface beneath them.  If you feel the snow texture change (deeper and/or stiffer) and/or see dune-like formations and wind-textured snow, you have likely encountered a wind slab.  Avoid traveling up or down steep terrain with convex features as this is where you will expose yourself to a potential windslab.  

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    That new snow we received this past week in combination with winds from the Northwest has developed wind slabs.  Yesterdays in the Southern Wallowas west winds remained moderate with strong gusts increasing the development of wind slabs.  Expect to find wind slabs on leeward aspects above treeline and near treeline on SE aspects.  You can likely trigger reactive wind slabs on steep terrain features and convex rolls.   

Avalanche Discussion

Wind slabs will increase in strength with warming temperatures and decrease in reactivity.  In the Elkhorns temperatures will rise into the mid 30's, with significant solar radiation creating the potential for Wet Loose activity on South-West facing slopes.  If you observe pinwheels, rollerballs, or can feel the surface snow becoming saturated, wet loose activity is on the rise.  We don't expect this activity to be as significant in the Wallowas, but don't completely rule it out on steep S-W facing slopes with rocky terrain features.  

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