Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While our weather stations reported only 3-4 inches of new snow, observers in the N Wallowas found up to 8 inches of new snow yesterday. Near ridgelines and especially above 8000', this has blown into wind-drifted snow that is prime for riders to trigger, especially where it sits on a crust buried on Valentine's Day.  If you feel stiffer snow, see shooting cracks, seek low-angled terrain or enjoy powder in sheltered areas.

Today's forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Near ridgelines and at upper elevations, winds yesterday were able to transport the light new snow and pack it into hard, dangerous windslabs.  In many places with minimal new snow, these will be small and relatively harmless, but never underestimate windslabs to trick us.  

    Watch for changes in texture, smooth or rippled surfaces, or shooting cracks.  Feel for stiffer, styrofoam-y snow. Listen for the crunch from that stiffer snow. Despite southerly winds (generally windward slopes), keep your eye out around the compass. If you observe any of these, choose lower angled slopes.  

    In places where it has not slabbed up, anticipate and manage your sluff/dry loose if you choose to ride steep terrain more than about 35 degrees.  

     

Avalanche Discussion

With a change in weather after weeks of pretty much open season, now is a good time to take a step back in your terrain choices. Be suspicious. 

Yesterday, we were looking for windslabs. We found wind blowing snow, and up to 8" of fluffy new snow at upper elevations.  Together, this is a recipe for windslabs that will be reactive and dangerous only 1 day later.  I also intentionally triggered a dry loose avalanche near Big Sheep (N Wallowas) that, while non-destructive, still ran for 150 feet and was 250 feet wide. 

Current State of the Snowpack: 

  • A ski guide's report mentioned only isolated surface hoar in gullies late last week and we did not find any buried beneath the storm snow near Big Sheep on Saturday. 
  • Another ski guide in the Norway area of S Wallowas found a 1-2cm rime crust formed on Friday and 3 inches of new snow as of Sat afternoon.  
  • Friday, while snowmobiling in the Catherine Creek area of S Wallowas, we found widespread surface hoar, which was confirmed by a nearby report of it up to 8000'. This will increase the reactivity of any slab forming above it and make it more dangerous.  

The few inches from this storm are unlikely to activate deeper weak layers, but forecasters and observers are still finding concerning structure with facets sandwiched between the melt-freeze crusts from 1/3 and 2/8.  As the new snow settles into a more cohesive slab, and as it loads further with more snow, we should pause to see how the snowpack handles the additional load and consider avoiding avalanche terrain.  

Observations: If you are out in the mountains, please send us an observation of what you saw. All observations are noteworthy and greatly help the forecasters. If you snapped some photos, please include those as well.  

Beacon Parks: Thank you to everyone who helped establish the beacon training park at Anthony Lakes (across from the ski lift on Mud Lake) and near the warming shelter at Salt Creek Summit snopark outside of Joseph, OR. These are free tools that we should all take advantage of.  

Upcoming Events:  Snowmobile Riding Clinic for Snow Professionals Feb 26-27

If you are a snow professional who’s interested in building your snowmobile skills and technique, or are looking to advance to the next level, the Wallowa Avalanche Center is offering a 2-day clinic on February 26-27.  This clinic is open to Avalanche Forecasters, ski patrollers, ski guides, and other industry professionals.  Click here to learn more.  

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