Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

AN AVALANCHE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAINS FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

A series of potent winter storms have been impacting our forecast area since New Years bringing significant snowfall and strong SW winds to our area mountains. In the Blues the rain line is at least up to 6,000'.  Snotel sites are indicating almost 1" of water (rain) in the last 24 hours. Rain on snow elevates the avalanche hazard quickly. Above the rain line the Blues could pick up 6-8" of additional snow. The weight of the new snow and rain at lower elevations will stress the snowpack to its breaking point. Expect reactive storm slab instability (12-18" thick) to increase throughout the day at all elevation bands and wet slab avalanches to be possible below 6,000'. Natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely on slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    In the Blues we can expect 6-8" of new snow in the next 24 hours. This morning at 5am the Milk Shakes Snotel site (5760')  is showing a temp of 33F and 1" of water most likely in the form of rain. This, combined with the 8" of new snow received yesterday will stress the snowpack to its breaking point. Expect reactive storm slab instability to increase throughout the day at all elevations above 4,000'. Natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely on slopes greater than 30 degrees. A particularly troubling possibility is a skier or rider could trigger a storm slab avalanche and the weight of the slab could "step down" and initiate a failure deeper in the snowpack in a persistent weak layer. The resulting avalanche could be catastrophic. The best way to stay safe in the backcountry the next few days is to avoid avalanche terrain all together. Stay off and out from under slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

  • Wet Slabs

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

    A warm front impacting our area last night and through this morning has brought warm temperatures and rain to lower elevations. Most Snotel sites in NE Oregon are indicating a rain line hovering between 6,000 - 7,000 feet. Milkshakes Snotel (5600') at 5am has a temp of 33F and received an 1" of water most likely in the form of rain. Any time you get rain on snow the snowpack can become unstable quickly. With all this new snow, the additional weight and loss of strength brought by the rain could produce wet slab avalanches 1-2' deep on a variety of aspects at elevations from 4,000 - 6,000'. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid and stay out from underneath slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

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