Avalanche forecast

Blues

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

It remains possible to trigger a large avalanche breaking near the ground. This danger exists on all slopes steeper than 30 degrees near and above the treeline. Avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees to stay clear of this avalanche problem.

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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    We are still finding poor snowpack structure in the Blues, although the likelihood of triggering this layer is low it remains possible. The November/December facets are now rounded, moist, and beginning to bond but are still substantially weaker than the snow above and below them. This creates the recipe for an avalanche. Snowpack tests yesterday confirm this. 

    (1/31/2024)

    Snowpit graph from the Blues 1/31/24

    Photo: Nick Burks

Avalanche Discussion

There has not been more than an hour of below-freezing temperatures in the Blues since 1/13. That is two weeks! The snowpack is wet to moist from the top to the bottom. The November/December facets are now moist and beginning to bond but are still substantially weaker than the snow above and below them. This weak snow continues to produce concerning results in stability tests. You can see an observation here.

The continued warm temps and rain today will not do anything to immediately stabilize this Persistent Slab problem. The snowpack is well set up to take more rain and warm temperatures. However, any time it rains on snow we should pay attention to signs of wet snow avalanche problems and be aware of the weak snowpack structure lurking below.

JOIN US THIS WEEKEND IN LA GRANDE AND ANTHONY LAKES MOUNTAIN RESORT FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL EASTERN OREGON BACKCOUNTRY FESTIVAL. 

Friday, Feb 2nd

  • Matchstick Productions, "Land of Giants" at HQ in La Grande.  Doors open at 6, the pie auction at 6:30, and the film starts at 7.  

Saturday, Feb 3rd-

  • Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race 8 am 
  • 10 AM Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic
  • 1 PM Snowpack assessment clinic
  • 3 PM Live music in the Starbottle

Sunday, Feb 4th-

  • Backcountry ski tour into Angell Basin

LIVE ONLINE AUCTION AND RAFFLE!  

 

 

 

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