Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

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 loose avalanches are possible today as temperature increase above freezing.  Looks for pinwheels, roller balls, or fan-shaped avalanches on sunny slopes this afternoon.  Use caution when traveling in or around rocks,  cliffs, and slopes where the snow is turning to mush.  Continue to look for wind slabs in isolated pockets when traveling near and on ridgelines.  

This forecast is sponsored by the Eagle Cap Mountain Guides

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warmer days result in wet snow avalanches.  It is now the middle of March and were have longer days, and warmer temperatures.  Currently, we are still seeing temperatures below freezing at night, with warmer temperatures and direct solar radiation on the snowpack during the day.  This cycle will result in some nasty crusts.  As the temperatures increase and the sun softens the snow surface during the day we will see an increase in wet snow avalanches in the afternoons and evenings before the snowpack as a chance to cool down and firm back up.  Plan your outings accordingly and stay off of sun expose slopes late in the day (W, SW, S, SE slopes).  

    (3/16/2023)

    Wet Loose E NE aspect 8000'

    Photo: VM

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds from the SW-S-SE-E have created the potential for wind slabs above the treeline.  You can identify these wind slabs by looking for wind pillows, textured snow and listening for stiff hollow sounding snow. The slabs should be settling out but could still be present in isolated locations.  

Avalanche Discussion

This past week we have seen a little bit of everything, from stormy weather, snowfall, sunshine, winds, and clear skies, we must be headed into springtime.  During this last storm cycle, most of our forecasting zones received 12 inches or more of new snow since March 13th with the Southern Wallowas being favored.  This was a significant load in a very short period of time on our snowpack which led to natural and human-triggered avalanches.  We have seen storm slab, wind slab, dry loose, and wet loose all in the past 4 days. 

Check out our Observations page for more information about both natural and human-triggered avalanches. If you want to see a very impressive natural avalanche check out this observation with some great pictures of Cheif Joseph.  

These storm slabs and wind slabs should be settled down (but still may exist) with very little wind and no new snow over the past few days. With increased temperatures today and through the weekend, we will see that nice fluffy snow start to warm and consolidate on sun-exposed slopes.  

As our weather is changing and we are seeing some fluctuations, expect to encounter different avalanche problems as you travel near treeline and above treeline.  As this weather started to get warm and sunny and it feels like spring is in the air, we need to be thinking about what that is doing to the snowpack.  With warm temperatures yesterday, and today, and increasing through the weekend but freezing overnight expect to encounter areas with thick crusts as we start our days at lower elevations.  As you climb into the upper elevations remember that wind slabs could still be hanging out and that cornices may be starting to warm and sag.  Watch out for these massive overhanging snow waves as they can break back further than you expect.  Cornices are very dangerous and unpredictable.  

 Thanks again to everyone for your outstanding observations over the week. Please let us know what you are seeing by writing an observation if you get out over the next few beautiful days. 

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