Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

A weak layer of snow 2-3 feet down in the snowpack could be triggered by the weight of a rider or skier today. This layer is most likely to be found on shady slopes, that are open to the sky and were protected from the wind. To find this layer you need to dig into the snowpack, if you don't have these skills, avoid terrain steeper than 30 degrees in terrain that could harbor this buried weak layer.

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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    A layer of buried surface hoar that is now buried 2-3 feet was reactive to remote triggering last week.   As these layers of surface hoar become more deeply buried, they can be difficult to see in your snowpit wall, so it is recommended to conduct a shovel shear test and/or extended column test to see if there are any failures on this layer.  If you need to brush up on your snowpack test skills, here is a great resource.  If you do not feel confident conducting this evaluation, avoid slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees and face NW through E,  near and below the treeline.

    (2/9/2023)

    Photo of a remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche in the Southern Wallowas. This avalanche occurred on a northeast facing slope at 7600' . Avalanche occurred Wednesday or Thursday.

Avalanche Discussion

 Today will be a generally quiet day in the mountains. A trace of new snow over the last 24 hours and some light to moderate winds may have created shallow isolated wind deposits. As the day progresses winds,  precipitation, and the snow level will all increase. These factors will contribute to a slow increase in the avalanche danger as the day progresses.  While the greatest risk is currently a persistent slab avalanche, watch for the rise of new snow, wind and temperature-related avalanches as the day goes on.

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