Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

AN AVALANCHE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TODAY FOR THE BLUES. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist where a significant amount of rain has fallen on the snowpack.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.  Deadly avalanches could be triggered in terrain over 30 degrees and could involve most of the season's snowpack depth.   Stay away from, and out from underneath any avalanche paths.  If you are unsure of how to identify avalanche terrain, you should stay out of the mountains.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Close to 4" of water have been recorded at the Milkshakes snotel since 1/3/22.   Much of this has fallen as rain since the early morning hours of January 6th.  This amount of saturation to the snowpack could cause sensitive natural wet avalanches.  Stay away from terrain steeper than 30 degrees.  The good news is things should be cooling down this evening and this problem will likely moderate with the onset of freezing temperatures.  

  • Loose Wet

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

    Often times wet loose avalanches are a good warning sign that the snowpack is unstable.  Look for pinwheels or point releases in steep terrain that may start to entrain wet uncohesive surface snow.  Avoid terrain where even a small avalanche could push you into a terrain trap such as a gully or over a cliff.  

Avalanche Discussion

Plain and simple- The snowpack needs time to adjust to the weight of the rain.  Avoid avalanche terrain. 

Regions covered