Wet Loose avalanches are likely on all aspects at the lower and mid-elevations and on south-facing upper-elevation slopes. If the snow surface becomes wet and you're sinking into the snow, conditions are ripe for wet loose avalanches. If you see these conditions, choose terrain less than 30 degrees and avoid slopes with terrain traps where these small but heavy slides could push you down.
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As the day warms up expect wet loose avalanches. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as clues that this problem is developing. If you're sinking up to your boot tops in wet snow, that's a sure sign wet loose activity is likely.
Pinwheels
Photo: Nick Burks
The storm that began on Valentine's day finished with moderate to strong winds from the SW- S and SE. This loaded snow onto slopes facing west, north, and east. These avalanches will be found near and above the treeline.
Look for and avoid slopes with cornices, wind pillows, textured snow, and smooth hollow-sounding snow. Cracking in the new snow is a sign you've found a wind slab.
(2/16/2024) Minor cracking under skis and small windslabs on exposed NW facing terrain.
The persistent slab problem has been removed from the forecast for the Northern Wallowas. The layers of concern are now moistened, compressed, and capped by dense snow with multiple strong crusts. While it is unlikely you could trigger one of these slides, it is not impossible. This is not "open season" it's time to "step it out cautiously." Evaluate the snowpack before you commit to riding steep exposed terrain. Avoid shallow areas of the snowpack (< 1m/3ft) and trigger points- rocks, scoured areas, and steep convexities.
Warm temperatures and sunshine will quickly heat the snow surface today. There is still cold snow around from the last storm. When this snow warms up or the thin melt-freeze that has formed on some slopes breaks down, wet loose avalanche activity is likely. These small pushy slides can carry you to places you don't want to be. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as visual clues of wet loose avalanches. If you see these signs or start sinking into the wet snow seek lower-angle slopes or slopes without terrain traps in case you take a ride.
Pockets of wind slab left over from the storm that began on Valentine's Day still exist near and above treeline. They are most likely on slopes facing west, north, and east. While traveling through or surveying the higher mountain terrain, the effects of the recent wind are obvious. Rippled wavy snow covers broad faces. Cornices hang imposingly over steep slopes. The snow under you will quickly transition from settled powder snow to stiff punchy windboard. These are all the signs of wind slabs. The warm temperatures and lack of new snow will help the wind slabs bond. For now, the possibility of triggering one remains. Look for and avoid slopes with cornices, wind pillows, textured snow, and smooth hollow sounding snow.
Forecaster, Caleb Merill gathered this information about recent conditions in the Northern Wallowas.
