Avalanche forecast

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Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A light freeze overnight, coupled with another sunny, warm day will activate the Wet Loose factory again today.  Wet slabs are not out of the question, along with cornice failures.  If you notice the surface snow is becoming saturated and punchy avoid traveling on or underneath steep sun-affected terrain.  The safest travel plan today is to stick to higher elevation N-E aspects later in the day and avoid large sun-drenched slopes as you exit the mountains.  

Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onXbackcountry 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
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    If you see the presence of roller balls, pinwheels, or downright wet snow you are observing the ingredients necessary for a Wet Loose avalanche.  Triggering a wet loose slide in steep consequential terrain could push you or your sled into undesirable terrain.  Stick to shadier aspects at higher elevations later in the day, and avoid traveling across larger sun-exposed terrain features later in the PM.  Especially look out for terrain traps, where even a relatively small slide could pile up wet heavy debris quicker than you think.  

     

     

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Water has been percolating down into the snowpack this week, predominately at mid and lower elevations on S-W aspects.  When this water hits a thick crust (1/6) it pools and lubricates this layer in the snowpack.  It can be nearly impossible to time, but if a wet slab does cut loose the size and destructive force can be significant.  Avoid large terrain features, terrain traps and steep slopes on S-W aspects as getting involved with a wet slab could be deadly.  

Avalanche Discussion

Over the past week, we have seen warm temperatures with many areas not freezing overnight.  The strong high-pressure system will continue today and we could see highs in the upper 30's to low 40's.    Freezing levels have dropped today, and should stay around 4,400'.   We are likely to see inversions in the valley bottom Friday and through the weekend.  The pattern of clear and dry conditions looks to remain in the forecast through Saturday.   Clouds will build on Sunday as a weak disturbance is scheduled to come through on Monday.  

Wednesday when traveling in the Western Wallowas I observed water percolating down into the snowpack and sitting on the January 6th crust.  Many days of warm temperatures have caused the snowpack to become saturated with water.  With another day of warm temperatures, we will see wet loose avalanches and possible wet slab avalanches.   Another concern is cornice failure.  Avoidance is the best protocol as cornices connect to ridge features further back than most people think.

We need your observations, please submit them here.  You can also use #wallowaavalanchecenter on Social Media to tag conditions.  

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival.  This event raised $10,000 to help sustain the Wallowa Avalanche Center and make 4 forecasts a week possible.  Thanks!!

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