Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It is likely that you could trigger a fresh windslab along leeward ridgelines and cross loaded mid slope terrain features today.  The 2-4 feet of new snow that has fallen in the Southern Wallowas in the last several days is sitting upon a variable thickness crust that could be the perfect bed surface for natural and human triggered avalanches.  Mid and lower elevations will host storm slab avalanche potential today as the new snow settles into more of a cohesive slab. Stick to slopes with slope angles less than 30 degrees and if witnessing any of the 5 red flags of instability, dial back your terrain choices even further.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There is plenty of new snow available for transport, and with moderate NW winds yesterday and overnight, sensitive windslabs may be easy to trigger today.  Observers indicated that the wind direction was mostly out of the NW, but swapped around to the East for much of the day in the Pine Creek drainage- so be on the lookout for windslabs on all aspects above treeline.   Look for clues of windloading such as smooth looking pillows, wind stripped ridgelines, and cross loaded terrain features.  Sensitive fresh cornice development is another clue that there is windloading often just below these cornices.  Avoidance is the best strategy with windslabs.  

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Observers in the Southern Wallowas have reported upwards of 3 feet of new snow Thursday night at 7,000', with slightly less below that elevation.  Another 8" of snow was recorded in the last 24 hours at the Schneider Meadows Snotel.  This snow fell on a variable thickness crust, and the snowpack needs time to adjust to this load.  Natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches were observed in the Southern zone yesterday.   More are likely today. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday, observers noted natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches on NW and South aspects.  These are the bulls eye clues that should urge you to make conservative terrain choices on slopes less than 30 degrees.  Give the snowpack some time to adjust to the new load, especially since all of this new snow is sitting upon a variable thickness crust from 2/22.  Check out Killian's observation from the last few days in the Southern Wallowas.   Observations from the Western Wallowas indicated dry loose avalanches yesterday in steeper terrain and mixed results in snowpack tests- including full propagation of an extended column test.  

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