Avalanche forecast

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Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Warm temperatures and direct sun will create wet loose avalanches on steep sunny aspects.  If you start to see roller balls and pinwheels, point releases from rocks or vegetation, or you are sinking up to your boot tops in wet slushy snow, it is time to change your aspect and elevation.  Given the warm temps over the past week, there is a chance of triggering a wet slab avalanche on south aspects.  Avoid traveling on or underneath steep, cliffy terrain.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Many locations in the mountains have not seen freezing temperatures overnight in the past few days.  The peak of the high temperatures is forecasted to be in the mid to high 40s today and sunny.  This will result in a warming of the snowpack creating a potential to trigger wet loose avalanches.   If you see signs of rollerballs and pinwheels, point releases out of steep rock areas, or you are sinking up to the top of your boots in wet loose snow it is time for you to get off those slopes and find a shadier aspect on lower angle terrain.  Avoid traveling underneath or on steep facing terrain that has been getting direct sun.  

     

     

  • Wet Slabs

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

    We have seen prolonged warming of the snowpack in the past few days producing a melt cycle.  Yesterday we observed water percolating down into the snowpack and sitting on the January 6th crust.   These wet loose conditions may lead to wet slab avalanches.  Avoid south aspect on steep, confined or cliffy terrain as temperatures remain in the mid to upper 40's today and other freezing level rises to 8000ft.  Timing is key today when traveling.  If you are sinking up to your boot tops through the wet surface snow, that is an indication that the snowpack is warming and you need to change your aspect and/or elevation.  

Avalanche Discussion

Over the past week, we have seen warm temperatures with many areas no freezing overnight.  The strong high-pressure system will peak today and we could see record-setting high temperatures in parts of the area.  Highs today will reach into the 40s and above with freezing levels above 7000 feet in all zones.   Friday we will see a decrease in temperatures with N-NE winds.  We are likely to see inversions in the valley bottom Friday and through the weekend.  The pattern of clear and dry conditions looks to remain in the forecast through the weekend. 

Yesterday when traveling in the western Wallowas we saw water percolating down into the snowpack and sitting on the January 6th crust.  Many days of warm temperatures have caused the snowpack to become saturated with water.  With the peak of the warm temperatures hitting today, we will see wet loose avalanches and possible wet slab avalanches. 

Submit your observations of what you are seeing out there here.  

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival.  This event raised $10,000 to help sustain the Wallowa Avalanche Center and make 4 forecasts a week possible.  Thanks!!

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