Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

New and lingering wind slabs are likely to exist along ridgelines. Additionally, we continue to find weak structure 2-3 feet down in the snowpack. Although the likelihood of triggering these weak layers is decreasing with time, the consequence would be a very large avalanche. Reduce your exposure by avoiding steep slopes until these layers demonstrate signs of healing.

 Today's forecast is sponsored by The Avalanche Hour Podcast

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong to extreme winds were recorded across the region in the past 48 hours, and winds are forecasted to pick up again today. This will likely create a patchwork of new and lingering wind slabs along ridgelines that could be tricky to identify and could vary in their reactivity. 

    Recent wind slabs may be covered in a few inches of new snow, making it difficult to identify, but look for clues to wind loading patterns in the terrain. If you experience the following, back off from steep, consequential slopes: 

    • Dune-like features downwind of stripped locations
    • Snow surface textures that look rippled and stiff 
    • Note if your machine or boards are staying on top of a stiff and supportable slab of snow 
    • Cornice growth along ridgelines- wind slabs are often most sensitive downwind of corniced ridgelines
    • Shooting cracks/collapsing on the surface
    • Patterns of cross-loading on mid-slope terrain features.  

    The best riding and the least exposure will be in wind-sheltered locations.

    Textured snow below a corniced ridgeline: Wind Slab

    (3/12/2026) Photo: Caleb Merrill

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The Valentine's Day Buried Surface Hoar layer, along with weak faceted snow from the January Drought (buried on Feb 8), exists in the upper 3 feet of the snowpack.  While becoming less likely, If you trigger a slab avalanche on either or both of these fragile weak layers, you will likely produce a large to very large avalanche.   

    A new load of snow and wind-blown snow will challenge the weak layers in our snowpack.  It will be prudent to give steep, consequential avalanche terrain a wide berth until this storm passes.  

    Persistent Slab avalanches can release in surprising ways:

    • They can be much wider than expected 
    • They can break above you and pull into relatively gentle terrain.
    • Persistent slab avalanches can and will release on slopes that already have snowmachine or ski tracks. 
    • Although unlikely right now, you can trigger them remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.  

    Specific terrain features that you should avoid: 

    • Rocky areas that are also convex rollovers- these areas may harbor a shallower snowpack and could be easier to trigger a persistent slab avalanche.
    • Slopes on the north half of the compass that are protected from the wind but are connected to larger open slopes that may have had previous wind loading.  

    If you have uncertainty in managing this avalanche problem, you are in good company.   The absence of obvious signs of instability, such as collapsing or whumphing of the snowpack, does not necessarily mean a slope is safe to ride.  Avoidance is our top (and our only) tool when it comes to dealing with a persistent slab.   Further slope scale investigation is warranted if you decide to commit to consequential terrain.  

    (2/26/2026)

    2 Natural Avalanches observed near Pine Lakes in the Southern Wallowas.  

    Photo: Victor McNeil

Avalanche Discussion

  • The current storm started cold and trended warmer over the last 24-48 hours.   Wind slabs could be more reactive where they sit above lighter-density snow.    Wind slabs are usually hard slab avalanches and will often release above a rider once they are on the slope.  They are also often triggered where the slab is thinner- towards the sides of the slab or near the bottom.  Steer clear of steep wind-loaded terrain today.  
  • We still have persistent weak layers lurking in our snowpack.  While the distribution of the Valentine's Day Buried Surface Hoar is specific to more sheltered terrain, it has been found on northerly aspects as well as Southwest aspects- especially in the Western Wallowas near Flagstaff Butte, the Southern Wallowas, and in the Elkhorns.   The January Facets, now 3-4 feet deep, are widespread throughout our forecast zones.   It's best to focus on the consequence (not the likelihood) of triggering a very large persistent slab avalanche.   Reduce your exposure through conservative terrain selection until this storm passes.  

 

Let's paint this picture together.  Let us know what you are seeing out there through an observation.  It doesn't need to be complex or technical- just a few pictures and a description of what you encountered is super helpful to forecasters.  

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. This is a valuable free resource that everyone should use to practice their companion rescue skills. 

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