Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wet snow avalanches will be our primary concern today in the Northern Blues.  All aspects and elevations are suspect, as non-freezing temperatures overnight and another day of warming will increase the likelihood of human-triggered avalanches.  If you observe signs such as roller balls and pinwheels it's best to stick to lower-angle slopes and avoid steep runout zones.  

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

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    As we head into a period of increasing daytime temperatures, elevated freezing levels, and a lack of freezing temperatures overnight wet slab activity could become a threat.  It's very difficult to nail the timing of this avalanche problem, so the best advice we can offer is if you are sinking to your boot tops in wet snow, you need to avoid all avalanche terrain.  It's important to determine your entry and exit points and avoid crossing underneath steep terrain late in the day.  

    If we have multiple days of non-freezing conditions the chances of wet slab avalanches will increase, due to melt water percolating down into the snowpack and pooling on old crust layers.  

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    We may not see as much wet loose activity today with cloudier skies and moderate to strong winds keeping the surface snow cooler.  If you do observe roller balls, and pinwheels or can feel the surface becoming saturated it's best to avoid similar aspects and elevations where it's possible to involve yourself in a wet loose avalanche.  A wet loose avalanche may not be big enough to bury or kill you, but could still push you into consequential terrain.  If you find yourself up to your boot tops in wet snow it's time to exit the field.  

  • Cornices

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

    Warming temperatures will strain sagging cornices.  These beasts have grown quite large over the past couple of weeks, and some may reach their tipping point. Use extreme caution as cornices often connect to terrain features much further back than you might expect.  Also, avoid traveling below slopes with cornices above you.  It's nearly impossible to forecast when a cornice might cut loose, but you want to be far away in the event this takes place.  

    (4/6/2023) Photo: VM

Avalanche Discussion

This will be the third day in a row the Blues will see temperatures go above freezing.  Overnight temperatures stayed above freezing, which doesn't bode well for the snowpack's strength.  For Friday the forecasted high is 37 degrees at 4,500' and the snow level will rise to around 5,000' by the end of the day. Remember, mother nature doesn't like rapid changes, and a rapid warmup is a Red Flag.  If you observe roller balls, pinwheels, or generally wet snow it's time to look for non-avalanche terrain to recreate.  

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