Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet snow avalanches are likely on all aspects and elevations.  Avoid traveling in or under avalanche terrain.  If you go out into the rain today stick to slopes less than 30 degrees. 

This forecast is sponsored by Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    We are still finding poor snowpack structure in the Blues, although the likelihood of triggering this layer is low it remains possible.  Wet avalanches can step down into older snow layers as water moves down into the snowpack. 

    Recent snowpack tests on Wednesday from forecaster Nick Burks show his whole column failing on these facets that sit above a very hard icy bed surface.  Slab + Weak Layer + Bed Surface= the potential to trigger an avalanche.   Check out his observation here. 

    (1/24/2024)

    This Compression Test failed in weak snow just above a Knife hard crust on the 19th tap. There was a big pop and drop.

    Photo: Nick Burks

  • Loose Wet

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

    You will certainly see plenty of wet loose avalanches today as the warm temperatures continue.  The Blues have received plenty of rain throughout the past few days and the snowpack has become saturated and heavy.   Even small wet avalanches could carry you into terrain traps, over cliff bands, or into trees.  Give the snowpack time to adjust to the change and avoid areas where avalanches can start, run, and stop particularly in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Freezing levels will continue to be above ridgeline elevation in the Blues today through Wednesday.  Wet avalanches are very likely with increasing temperatures and no overnight freezing.  It is not out of the question for a wet avalanche to add enough weight to the snowpack and trigger a deeper more destructive avalanche on buried persistent weak layers.  Use safe travel protocols, avoid riding above terrain traps, and don't hang out below avalanche runout zones. 

We appreciate all of the observations that have been coming into the WAC from all of our zones.  It truly adds value to your forecast.  Keep 'em coming! Submit your obs here. 

 

 

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