Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Low density snow on top of a thick crust makes dry loose avalanches possible. You are most likely to find these sluffs near and above treeline on terrain steeper than 30 degrees.  The potential to trigger an avalanche in the old snow still exists. Staying off slopes steeper than 30 degrees is advised to avoid getting caught in a slide.

This forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Fairly consistent storms have been depositing snow on top of a crust since February 1st. This consistent light snowfall on a thick crust makes dry loose avalanches possible. These fan-shaped avalanches can take you off your machine or feet and put you where you don't want to be. It could be an uncomfortable ride grating on the firm crust below. You can use short steep slopes to test the bond between the new and old snow.

    With new snow, the possibility of storm slabs and wind slabs in areas exposed to the wind exists. Be on the lookout for these where new snow has accumulated on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

     

    (3/11/2023)

    Small dry loose avalanches.

    Photo: VM

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Reports from the field indicate the persistent weak layers in the snowpack are becoming less reactive. They are also getting more deeply buried. This is good for the overall stability. The problem is that it is still not impossible to trigger one of these slides. And the consequences of triggering one of them would be mega. Careful snowpack analysis is required before riding avalanche terrain. If you do not have the skills to conduct this analysis, choose terrain less than 30 degrees.

    Forecaster, Caleb Merrill covers this problem in his observation from the Elkhorns 2/8.

    (2/7/2024)

    Snowpit Graph form the Elkhorns 2/7

Avalanche Discussion

Rain, warm temps, and lack of significant low elevation snow means we are dropping the below treeline danger to Low. Low danger does not mean NO danger! Pay attention to what the snow is telling you and remember the snowpack near and above the treeline has much different problems and is still very worthy of your attention.

Fairly consistent storms have been depositing snow on top of a crust since February 1st. The full gamut of new snow avalanche problems (wind slabs, storm slabs, dry loose) are possible. The most consistently reported avalanche problem from folks getting out in the mountains has been Dry Loose.

Reports from the field indicate the persistent weak layers in the snowpack are becoming less reactive. They are also getting more deeply buried. This is good for the overall stability. The problem is that it is still not impossible to trigger one of these slides. And the consequences of triggering one of them would be mega.  Forecaster, Caleb Merrill covers this problem in his observation from the Elkhorns 2/8. This observation from the Elkhorns by ski guide Sarah Jakober also speaks to the improving, but not great persistent slab problem.  Careful snowpack analysis is required before riding avalanche terrain. If you do not have the skills to conduct this analysis, choose terrain less than 30 degrees

WAC Executive Director/Forecaster, Victor McNeil wrote this excellent Conditions Blog. It provides a great summary of conditions in January and what that means for the snowpack now in February.

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