Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

New snow (rain down low) and wind overnight has created a new round of windslabs at mid and upper elevations around the compass.  With uncertainty in how well the denser new snow can be blown, or if the sun appears this afternoon, the danger may be on the high end of Moderate.  Plan for conservative terrain options if you find signs of instability.  If you see blowing snow, textured surface snow, or feel stiffer snow above softer snow, seek sheltered terrain or slopes under 30 degrees.  

This forecast is sponsored by Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club of Enterprise, OR. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate winds and new snow since yesterday afternoon are the ingredients for a fresh round of windslabs.  Uncertainty exists about how well the denser new snow will be transportable, but only a few inches of dry snow can be blown into a much thicker and dangerous windslab.  

    To increase your safety margins and snow quality, choose locations less prone to wind effect.  If you do find slopes that have been stiffened by the wind, use caution and conservative travel techniques to limit your exposure.

    Dry loose avalanches were observed in the S Wallowas on 3/21 and are Possible today as well.  While these are probably small, they can still knock you off your feet if you choose to travel in sheltered steep terrain.  

    (3/19/2025) Photo: Victor McNeil

  • Loose Wet

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

    Although a cooling trend is underway and decreasing reactivity today, Wet Loose avalanches are Possible to human triggers until the surface snow refreezes.  Avoid being on or under slopes over 35 degrees with gloppy wet snow, especially near terrain traps like gullies or flat benches.  

    (3/21/2025)

    5600' WSW previous natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.  Likely ran Weds 3/19 during the warmup with few inches of recent snow now on the debris 

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

After a rapid input of precipitation, warm temps and wind last night, expect a variety of avalanche problems depending on your elevation.  While old windslabs from midweek have healed, new ones may have formed.  Look for signs of instability from wind as highlighted in these photos/video from Caleb last week.  

A professional observer in the Elkhorns on 3/21 found less wind than expected and very limited signs of instability.  She saw a previous small windslab (unknown trigger) from Weds or Thurs at 8200' N.  Another Elkhorns observer also encountered unreactive old windslabs.  

We traveled in the S Wallowas on 3/21 and found three previous wet loose avalanches (likely from Weds 3/19 warmup) across the trail at low elevations, size 1.5-2.   Up to 1' of dense new snow was unreactive as a slab but did run as a loose snow problem.  

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