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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Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist today throughout the mountains of Northeast Oregon. It might be possible to trigger a small, loose wet avalanche on southeast, south, and southwest facing terrain steeper than 35 degrees during the afternoon hours, especially terrain adjacent to or connected to rocky terrain features. The best strategy for avoiding avalanche activity today is to get on the snow early while it is firm. By early afternoon, if/when the snow you are recreating upon starts to become soggy and unstable, it is time to move to lower angle terrain,  or slopes that are in the shade. Shady slopes would include northwest, north, and northeast  facing slopes. Keep in mind that the snow on terrain at and above treeline may remain firm all day. A fall on a steep slope containing firm snow could  end up turning into a fast, uncontrollable, and consequential slide.

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

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

     The temperatures got down into the mid teens and low twenties at weather stations throughout the region this morning and temps are forecasted  to climb slightly above freezing today by late morning (Blues) or early afternoon. Therefore, I expect to see mostly firm snow and generally safe avalanche conditions  today, particularly this morning and early this afternoon while the snow surface is still firm. Watch for unstable snow on steep south, southwest, and south facing terrain this afternoon, especially on terrain connected to, or adjacent to, rocky terrain features. The snow around these rocky terrain features tends to warm up and become unstable as temperatures rise. It could be possible this afternoon  for a recreationalist to trigger a small wet loose avalanche in this steep, solar facing, rocky terrain. As stated above, getting on the steep sunny slopes in the morning, and off the steep sunny slopes by early to mid afternoon, assures the recreationalist the best chance of avoiding avalanche activity.

    (3/31/2022)

    Loose wet avalanche that occurred during a warm spell from about a week ago in the Northern Elkhorns.

    Photo: TG

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    When traveling along ridgelines today, think about staying well back from the edge of the ridge unless you are certain that the slope edge is not an overhanging cornice. The relatively warm springtime temperatures can weaken cornices, causing them to fail with the added extra weight of a human. Keep in mind that cornices tend to break further back from slope edges than you might think. 

    (3/17/2022)

    Cornices on east facing terrain at about 8400' .

    Photo: TG

Avalanche Discussion

I visited the Northern Elkhorns yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find 1/2"-1" of new snow from a little weather disturbance that occurred on Wednesday. There was nothing remarkable about the skiing quality unless you like "dust on crust", but it was quite lovely nonetheless. While ski touring yesterday I observed  firm snow and good stability during my outing. The snow had softened  on sunny aspects at and below treeline by mid afternoon. I expect generally safe avalanche conditions for today as well, especially this morning while the snow surface is firm. Getting on the slopes early and off the slopes when the snow starts exhibiting signs of instability (rollerballs, pinwheels, mushy surface conditions) will assure you the best chance of avoiding avalanche activity in the mountains today. Snow surfaces at and above treeline could remain firm all day today, especially northwest, north, and northeast facing terrain. Keep this in mind if your plan is to ski steep terrain in the alpine. A fall on a steep and firm slope today could turn into a dangerous, undesirable, and uncontrollable slide into trees, rocks, or cliff band. Think about the consequences of a fall  before committing to that steep slope or line in the alpine today.

Regions covered