Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If you find 8" or more of new snow at the uppermost elevations in the Blues it remains possible you could trigger a storm slab avalanche.   If the mid and lower-elevation terrain refroze overnight your greatest hazard could be losing an edge and taking a slide for life.  Low hazard doesn't mean no hazard and using common sense is advised.  

This forecast is sponsored by CB Construction in La Grande.  

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    It's possible at the uppermost elevations in the Blues you could trigger a storm slab today.  The likelihood depends on the amount of new snow, and how well it's bonded to the old snow surface.  If you find 8" of new snow or more then the likelihood of triggering an avalanche will increase.  Use safe travel protocols like only exposing one person at a time, avoiding terrain traps, and regrouping out of runout zones.  

    (11/29/2022) Photo: VM

Avalanche Discussion

Weather Jan 2 till now:  Elevated snow levels brought warm and wet conditions to NE Oregon Jan 2-3.  Many of our local Snotel sites gained over 1" of SWE, but snow accumulation was light.  High Ridge in the Blues went from 15.3" to 16.5" of SWE, but snow totals only increased 5".  In the Elkhorns the Bourne Snotel went from 11.1" to 12.5" of SWE, but lost 2".  Schneider Meadows went from 24" to 27" but only reported gaining 3" of new snow.  Aneroid Snotel went from 10.3" to 11.1" and only gained 2" of snow.  

A general rule of thumb is 1" of SWE=12" of snow.  Hopefully, all of that water will help our drought situation.  

Regions covered