Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering avalanches up to 1-2 feet deep in wind-blown new snow will be possible today in exposed leeward terrain, especially along ridgelines.  Avoid wind-loaded slopes.  In more sheltered areas, the new dense snow can fail on firm melt-freeze crusts as storm slabs.    Avoid terrain greater than 30 degrees where cohesive slabby snow sits above a firm crust. 

This forecast is sponsored by Brooks Painting 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    6-10" of new snow intermixed with rain has fallen in the Blues since Monday.  Recent moderate winds have blown from the Southeast, South, and Southwest and have transported this snow onto leeward aspects along ridgelines and exposed terrain.  Look for signs of wind-stiffened snow in your travels today such as cracking around your skis or machine and rippled, pillow-like features.  Find small unconsequential test slopes to ride or walk across to test the sensitivity of wind slabs.  Avoid areas that are wind-loaded in terrain greater than 30 degrees.  

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The northern Blues have received up to 8" of new snow in the last 24 hours.  This new snow has been in the higher density range and could fail as cohesive slabs sitting above a firm melt-freeze crust from the mid-month warmup.  Test for bonding of the new snow against the melt-freeze crust using hand pits where you pull the new snow away from the firm bed surface.  Ride over small unconsequential test slopes to test reactivity.  If seeing storm slab failure, avoid slopes greater than 30 degrees.  

    (1/11/2024)

    Touchy Storm Slabs failing on a density change in the new snow. 

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

Avalanche Discussion

The Blues have seen warmer temperatures than our other forecast zones through this storm.  Higher snow levels and mid-storm temperature bumps have brought mixed precipitation since Monday.  Snow totals ranged from 6-10" of new snow with a snow water equivalent of up to 1.5".  The mid-month warmup took its toll on the snowpack in the Blues with many slopes on the southern half of the compass seeing significant snow melt.  The new snow will have shallowly buried many obstacles and you should use care when riding in thin areas.  

Continue to dig down into the snowpack to see how wet the middle of the snowpack is.  Uncertainty exists as to how well the midpack "locked up" in the last week, and an avalanche failing in the new snow could potentially dig down into a wet saturated snowpack creating a larger more destructive wet avalanche.  

Excitement is abundant with the return of winter and many people are frothing for some more powder turns.  Use a conservative mindset, make a travel plan with wide margins, and always utilize safe travel techniques such as only exposing one rider on slopes at a time, keeping eyes on them, and regrouping in zones that limit your exposure.  

Observations have been sparse in the Blues.  If you get out, let us know what you are seeing by submitting an observation here.  

Regions covered