Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
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Below
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Highlights

Stiff slabs of wind drifted snow will be sensitive to a rider's weight along exposed ridgelines.   It is possible to trigger loose snow avalanches with your machine or skis in sheltered terrain on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.   Many rocks, logs, and stumps exist just below the snow surface.  

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

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds out of the South, Southwest, and Southeast have redistributed the new snow into sensitive slabs near ridgelines.     Wind slabs may be present lower on slopes than you might expect.    Mid-slope terrain features may also become cross-loaded.     

    Look for clues to wind slab development:  A stiff and rippled texture, snow stripped terrain upwind of loaded slopes, cornice development, and fresh dunes of snow drifts.   Avoid wind-loaded slopes steeper than 30 degrees in steepness.  

    (2/10/2026)

    Look for stiff and textured snow as a clue to wind slab development.  Other clues include wind stripped terrain upwind of loaded ridgelines, cornice development, and dune like drifts.  Shooting cracks on the surface of the snow may be present in sensitive wind slabs.  If you see this, it is a clear sign to choose less consequential terrain.  

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

  • Loose Dry

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

    On steep shady slopes that are sheltered from the wind,  you could entrain loose snow large enough to drag you over unforgiving terrain.  Use small but steep test slopes to check the reactivity of the surface snow before committing to consequential terrain.  

    (2/14/2026)

    6900' NE on Tenderfoot Peak (northern wallowas) on 2/14/26.  Intentionally triggered dry loose small/D1 avalanche that failed on the Valentine's day interface, 20cm or 8" deep.  This broke for 250' wide and ran for 150' in 35-40 deg terrain.  

    Photo: Tom Whipple

Avalanche Discussion

There is plenty of light dry snow above 5,000 feet.  While we have this ongoing wind event, be on the lookout for signs of wind-drifted snow forming wind slabs.   If entering zones where the wind seems to have made large, firm drifts, ease off steep terrain.    

In addition to the developing wind slab problem, it will also be possible to find small dry loose avalanches in sheltered terrain that is steeper than 35 degrees in steepness.  Manage your sluff and consider the consequences of a small loose snow avalanche if you happen to be above terrain traps.  

Check out the video below for an update on conditions in the Blues.  

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 don't want everyone to see where you went you can set it to private and only the forecasters will see it.

 

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