Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches are likely in steep terrain receiving direct sun. Avoid terrain steeper than 30 degrees and any overhead hazard if you observe roller balls or pinwheels, or are sinking past your ankles into saturated snow. 

This forecast is sponsored by the La Grande Sno-Drifters

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Continued warm temperatures and strong solar radiation will progressively weaken the upper snowpack near treeline and above. In areas where the snow surface did not freeze overnight, loose wet avalanches will be more likely with avalanche danger peaking in the mid to late afternoon. These avalanches will begin in steep southeast facing terrain and follow the sun around to west aspects by the end of the day. Warm air temperatures may also melt the snow surface on north facing aspects near treeline and below. Signs that the snow surface is melting and losing cohesion include roller balls, pinwheels, and small point releases. Loose wet avalanches usually start small and increase in size and frequency - if you observe signs of loose wet activity move to lower angle terrain without overhead hazard. 

    (2/22/2025)

    Natural wet loose

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

  • Cornices

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

    Continued above freezing temperatures and solar radiation will weaken cornices in exposed areas above treeline. Cornice failures usually occur suddenly and can pull back off the ridgeline a surprising distance. Recent weather events have built large cornices that will be sensitive to the weight of a human. Use extreme caution when approaching ridgelines that may have cornices and avoid travelling beneath them. Cornice failures have also been known to trigger large avalanches on slopes below. 

    Photo: Sarah Jakober

    Large overhanging cornices built on a NE-SW ridgeline (2/10/2025). 

Avalanche Discussion

Snowpack: Generally, no rapid changes in this consistent weather pattern would leave us with a stable snowpack.  Prolonged warming however, with multiple nights without a freeze at mid and upper elevations, can lead to weird and unpredictable results.  We could see many small wet avalanches today that we can anticipate.  We could also get surprised with large cornices falling or even a very large slab avalanche.  Do not put yourself close to an edge in large or consequential terrain when uncertainty is this high.

Observers from the past few days in the Halfway and Burger Butte areas of the S Wallowas found soft slabs (12-18") from Sunday/Monday's rain on snow event.  Significantly, there have been no crowns reported in the 3-4' range or very large (D3+) debris piles that would indicate a persistent slab avalanche on our January facets layer.  As a result of this lack of activity under major loading, we have decided to move our persistent slab problem to "dormant" or unlisted. Recent observations from the Blues noted minimal loose wet activity, small amounts of soft snow left on shaded slopes and a well bonded, rounded January facet layer in one location. 

What to do: Seek shaded or the highest elevations for better riding.  Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs or gullies, which would amplify the consequences of even a small slide.  

Add value to your forecast.  Visibility is excellent, so please send photos and details of recent wet avalanches, old crowns and debris from the Atmospheric River Sunday, or just rollerballs and drooping cornices.  Submit an observation. 

 

Regions covered