Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Fresh snow accompanied by winds from the West will build fresh wind slabs on lee aspects today.  Expect to find the deepest wind slabs near ridgelines on East facing slopes.  Use conservative travel techniques if you observe wind-affected snow, as these fresh slabs will need time to bond to the old crusts and weak snow surfaces.  

Forecast presented by  @onxbackcountry. onX Backcountry 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

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will increase in size and sensitivity during the day.  The likelihood of triggering a wind slab will increase if snow totals exceed the forecasted 6" in the Elkhorns.  The winds for the Elkhorns are forecasted to be light/moderate today 12-20 MPH from the west.  If winds increase, expect the size and distribution of winds slabs to increase as well.  New snow and wind deposited snow is falling on a slick crust layer on all sun-affected surfaces and weak snow on shadier aspects.  

    Step off your machine or out of your skis and dig a quick hand pit to determine how well the new snow is bonding to the old snow surfaces.  If you observe poor bonding, stick to simpler terrain.  

Avalanche Discussion

The storm that has come down from the North is supposed to drop 6" of snow in the Elkhorns today.  Winds will blow predominately from the West, in the light-moderate category with strong gusts.  The freezing level will rise to around 3,700' today.  New snow will fall on a variety of surfaces, including a stout crust that formed in the past two days on South Aspects, and cold snow found on higher elevation N-E aspects.  It's prudent to take the time to determine how well the new snow is bonding to the old snow surfaces before committing to more challenging terrain.  

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