Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions today for the Blue mountains of Northeast Oregon. Temperatures today are forecasted to be well above freezing. Wet loose avalanches on terrain steeper than 35 degrees this afternoon is the main potential problem. The solution is to be off slopes steeper than 35 degrees when the snow surface starts showing signs of instability. 

Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onX Backcountry is a GPS navigation and mapping tool designed with your backcountry objectives in mind, equipped with Avalanche Forecast and Slope Angle layers, Offline Maps and more.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

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

    Temperatures this afternoon are forecasted to rise well above freezing in the Blues today. Above freezing temperatures cause cornices to weaken. These weakened cornices can easily fail under the weight of a human. If you find yourself traveling at ridgelines today, stay well back from slope edges unless you are certain that the slope edge is not a cornice. 

    (3/17/2022)

    Cornices on east facing terrain at about 8400' .

    Photo: TG

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Even though temperatures were at or below freezing last night, I think wet loose avalanche activity is a possibility today because temperatures are forecasted to climb into the mid forties by this afternoon. If you plan to recreate on slopes steeper than 35 degrees today in the Blue mountains, it is advised you get on the snow early and get off the steep slopes at the first sign of snow surface instability. Sinking into the snow up to your boot tops is a sure fire sign that the snow could be getting weak and that it is time to move to lower angle slopes less than 35 degrees. Also, the observance of roller balls and pinwheels on the snow surface are other warning signs that the snow is becoming unstable and that it is time to move onto low angle slopes less than 35 degrees.

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