Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Wind-drifted snow will build large and dangerous wind slabs, which will be reactive to the weight of a rider.  Mid and upper-elevation terrain is where these slabs will be found and it's possible if you trigger a wind slab a much larger avalanche could release on the January facets.  Look for the safest and most enjoyable riding conditions in protected terrain at lower elevations.  

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

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Sustained moderate to strong winds will continue to form fresh, reactive wind slabs that a person is likely to trigger, and in some areas, natural avalanches may occur. Look for blowing snow, textured surfaces, and pillow or lens-like deposits, and avoid steep slopes where you see any of these signs.  Fresh wind loading may increase the chances of triggering a high-consequence persistent slab avalanche on steep open slopes.

    There is a significant amount of light snow that is available for transport and wind slabs could easily be 1-2' thick.  With the intensity of the wind, you may observe wind loading further downslope than expected.  Winds can behave erratically, loading slopes in multiple orientations.  It's best to avoid this hazard altogether, especially knowing we have much weaker snow buried 2-4' below the snow surface.  

    (1/7/2025)

    Wind scouring near a ridgeline on China cap.  Cornices show dominant winds from right to left, but this texture shows recent winds left to right.  

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    The persistent slab problem will get a good test over the next several days, and you don't want to be the test subject.  We have weak snow, buried 2-4' below the snow surface, and although we haven't seen much activity on these January Facets it doesn't mean they should be written off.  Unfortunately, you probably won't receive any feedback before it's too late.   It's easier to rely on shooting cracks, whumpfing, and natural avalanches to deter us from stepping out onto slopes that are tempting.  You can dig down and assess the various snow layers, and you may not receive alarming test results, but some of the best in the business don't ski or ride slopes greater than 30 degrees when they know the slope has a persistent weak layer, with a slab above!  

    (2/8/2025) Photo: Kevin Cassidy

Avalanche Discussion

When the weather becomes erratic, so does the snowpack.  Over the next several days we are going to see some Red Flags, with moderate to strong winds, new snowfall and a rising snow level.  The January Facets haven't really come alive, but each time we have a significant weather change they are back on the table.  This is a good time to hit the reset button on the way you view terrain that maybe you've been riding in, on, or around.  If you are visiting this region for the first time this winter, spend some time digging into the snow and look for strong snow, overriding soft or weak snow.  

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