Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New, light snow has fallen on weak snow surfaces and hard crusts. Steep open slopes where new snow has accumulated are where you are most likely to find an avalanche.  Watch for areas of drifted snow and avoid terrain traps where even small slides could have harsh consequences.

This forecast is sponsored by: Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    A foot of new snow fell in the Blues over the past 24 hours. Most of this snow fell with little wind and is nice low-density powder. As this new snow settles and becomes more cohesive, it will form a slab. The new snow fell on a variety of snow surfaces from the December drought. Slick crusts and weak sugary snow on the surface could make triggering one of these slabs easier. Areas exposed to wind will have deeper deposits of snow and harbor slabs more sensitive to triggering.

    The terrain below 4000' (lowest elevation band) has insufficient snow to warrant a hazard rating.

     

     

Avalanche Discussion

I traveled in the Blues yesterday and found a 2' deep snowpack. The top of this snowpack was 8-10" of  fluffy powder. You can read my observation here. The new snow fell on crusts, or weak snow and a crust depending on aspect. The bond between the new and old snow is weak and where I would suspect an avalanche would initiate. 

Travel on the trails and open areas was enjoyable. Under the forest canopy, where not as much snow has accumulated, there are lots of exposed obstacles. Considering the impact of taking a ride in a slide, even a small one, is important before we choose to engage with a steep slope. Getting smashed into stumps and rocks would be painful and could be life-threatening.

Please post an observation letting us know what you find while out and about in the Blues.

Regions covered