Avalanche forecast

Southern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Fresh winds slabs have developed in mid to upper elevations and will continue to do so throughout today.  If you observe shooting cracks, drum-like snow, or dune-like formations you are experiencing a wind slab.  Use caution when traveling on N-SE aspects and avoid traveling up or down steep terrain with convex features.  In shady, steep, protected areas dry loose snow how the ability to move fast and push you into undesirable terrain.  

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

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds are forecasted to blow out of the W NW today, which could build fresh slabs of wind drifted snow near and above the treeline on leeward aspects.  The Northern Wallowas received around 3 inches of new snow in the last 24 hrs, combined with cold temperatures and moderate winds today will create an opportunity for continued wind slab development.  Wind transported snow could be sitting on a melt-freeze crust in some places so it may not be bonding well.   The greatest risk of triggering a wind slab will be on N-SE facing terrain on steep slopes.  Stick to sheltered terrain, or slopes without the presence of drum-like snow, or dune-like formations. 

  • Loose Dry

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

    Yesterday small natural dry loose avalanches were observed out of steep rocky terrain.  Use caution when traveling on slopes >35 degrees above treeline as a small slide can be dangerous and carry you into terrain traps or over cliffs.  

Avalanche Discussion

The Northern Wallowas will see moderate winds from the W-NW today. Temperatures are staying at or below freezing and snow levels remain under 2,600'.  Skies will be partly cloudy to sunny.  The surface snow shouldn't see a major warmup today remaining firm.   Temperatures dropped down into the teens and 20s last night which has locked up the upper snowpack.   The Wallowas and Elkhorns received around 3-4 inches of new snow over the past 24 hours.   Warm temperatures this past week created a firm crust on solar aspects.  More shady north aspects in the alpine did not get as warm and are less likely to have developed the crusts.  Small natural dry loose avalanches were observed yesterday in steep rocking terrain.   In some areas, you will find wind drifted pockets, where the snow has loaded up gullies and other terrain features that capture snow.  Yesterday while traveling in the Northern Elkhorns I could feel the crust while skiing downhill. 

Regions covered