Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The Blues are about to get hammered with snow and wind over the next two days.  Avalanche danger will rise dramatically, by tomorrow morning, with snow forecasts calling for up to 2' by Saturday morning.  All of the new snow is sitting on a very stout rain crust from 2/22, which will provide a perfect bed surface for the snow to slide on.  Use extreme caution as the snow piles up and stay off and out from all slopes >30 degrees.  

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    The Blues picked up between 8-1.5' of snow after the rain event on Monday 2/22.  Unfortunately, it rained for 12 hours, and was not light, putting down 1.7" of SWE at the High Ridge snotel.  This 2/22 rain crust is now our layer of concern as snow accumulates on it.  You won't need to spend much time evaluating how well the new snow is bonding to this layer, as storm slabs will occur naturally at upper elevations tomorrow.  

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds will pick up throughout the day on Thursday into Friday, primarily out of the WSW upwards of 20MPH, with gusts into the low 30's.  Fresh wind slabs will build on lee aspects (N-E) near and above tree line.  Use extreme caution around any suspect wind-loaded slope.  Wind loading often appears as dunes, drifts, or drumlike snow.  Shooting cracks are a great indicator of wind slab formation.  Avoid wind-loaded slopes, as triggering a wind slab could send you for a dangerous ride.  

Avalanche Discussion

The Blues picked up between 8-1.5' of snow after the rain event on Monday 2/22.  Unfortunately, it rained for 12 hours, and was not light, putting down 1.7" of SWE at the High Ridge snotel.  This 2/22 rain crust is now our layer of concern as snow accumulates on it.  You won't need to spend much time evaluating how well the new snow is bonding to this layer, as storm slabs will occur naturally at upper elevations tomorrow.  

Regions covered