Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Rain on snow will increase the avalanche hazard and Wet Loose avalanches are likely today.  All aspects and elevations will be dangerous, and your only way to avoid the problem is to steer clear of steep slopes, including those above you.  Once it starts raining and the snowpack loses strength it's best to go home and find something else to do.  

This forecast is sponsored by M Crow in Lostine, OR.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches are often preceded by roller balls and pinwheels, which are a good visual clue the snowpack is losing strength.  Rain on snow can rapidly increase the avalanche danger, and triggering a Wet loose avalanche could push you and your equipment into consequential terrain.  Avoidance is the best strategy, and if you are sinking to your boot tops in wet snow, it's time to call it quits.  

    Yesterday while driving from Spout Springs to Elgin roller balls were observed on the steep slopes above the highway.  Pull-outs with overhead hazard should be avoided today.  

    Roller balls abound on a steep south facing slope in the Blues. 

    Photo: Sarah Jakober

Avalanche Discussion

Currently, in the Blues, the storm snow that started last Wednesday is sitting on a rain crust.  This crust exists on all aspects and elevations and is a prime bed surface for the newer snow to slide on.  Rain on snow today, with warmer temperatures will greatly increase the avalanche danger.  As water makes its way through the newer snow it will likely collect on the rain crust, which can lubricate the bed surface and result in a Wet Slab avalanche.  These wet slabs are impossible to predict from a timing perspective but can be very destructive.  

You can read my observation from my travels in the Blues on 3/20 here.  

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