Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Throughout the day winds will increase forming wind slabs on slopes near and above the treeline.  Human-triggered avalanches are possible due to multiple weak layers buried in our snowpack.  Choose terrain carefully looking for wind-drifted snow and weak layers buried in the snowpack.  (If winds increase to what is forecasted the avalanche danger will increase throughout the day and it will be likely to trigger a wind slab.)

Today's avalanche forecast is sponsored by  CB Construction

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds are supposed to increase throughout the day transporting snow to NW-N-NE slopes and forming slabs on exposed terrain.  Winds will be strongest in the Northern Wallowas ranging between between 15-31 mph with gusts up to 39 mph out of the southwest.  The winds in the Elkhorns are forcasted  between 12-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph out of the south. If winds increase to what is forecasted the avalanche danger will increase throughout the day and it will be likely to trigger a wind slab.  For the past few days, we have been experiencing nice light winds.  However, today as those winds increase and the direction changes we have a lot of snow available for transport to the northeast, north, and northwest slopes.  Look for signs of wind loading on leeward terrain along ridgelines and cross-loaded mid-slope terrain features.  If you see signs of wind loading, such as wind-moving snow, fresh cornices, drifts, and wind pillows, choose your terrain carefully before you commit to steep slopes.  Look for shooting cracks out from in front of your skis or sled.

    (1/29/2023)

    Natural windslab avalanche observed on a southeast facing slope at 7900' in the Northern Wallowas. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    We are finding weak layers of snow that are still reactive in our snowpack tests in the upper 3' of the snowpack.  You will have to dig down to make an assessment, of whether or not these layers are present and reactive if you really want to collect more detailed information.  Clues such as whumping and cracking may or may not be present, and the distribution of buried surface hoar is not universal across terrain features and aspects.     

    Before committing to slopes greater than 30 degrees it is essential that you take the time to understand what weak layers may exist in the snowpack.  Buried surface hoar can appear as a grey stripe in the snowpack, but this is not always the case if it is laying down.  Often times we will find it while conducting a shovel shear test.  If all of this sounds like too much work, or out of your comprehension then ski and ride one at a time, limit exposure, stay clear of runout zones and keep your slope angles less than 30 degrees.  

    (1/31/2023)

    We found buried surface hoar in the Western Wallowas that was reactive in an extended column test.  

    Photo: Kelly McNeil

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3

    We are still observing poor structure in our snowpack with weak snow at the bottom and many crust facet combinations near the ground in both the Elkhorns and the Northern Wallowas.  The likelihood of triggering one of these avalanches is low but the consequences are extremely high.  You are most likely to trigger a deep persistent avalanche on steep terrain where the snowpack is rocky or thin. 

Avalanche Discussion

Please join us for the 11 Annual Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival this weekend.  This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and helps us continue to provide forecasts and outreach to you all.

February 3-5th. 

  • Friday, Feb 3rd: HQ in La Grande we are showing "Buried" the 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche.  This is an amazing movie that has won a ton of awards.  Check out the TRAILER!  Doors Open @ 5:30, Pie Auction 6:30, Movie starts at 7! Tickets are $5 at the door.
  • Saturday, Feb 4th: Kip Rand Memorial Race registerhere.  Winners will receive $100 cash or an Anthony Lakes season pass for 23/24.  Mens and womens division.   (You must show up 15 minutes before the race starts at the EOBF tent near the rental shop. )
  • 1 PM Snowpack Observation Clinic.Register here.  Space is limited, reserve your spot.  (You must show up 15 minutes before the clinics start at the EOBF tent near the rental shop. ) 
  • Bag of Hammers 3 PM at the Star Bottle Saloon.  Live auction and raffle.  
  • On Sunday you can join the forecasters for a tour into Angel Basin.  Register Here.  

If you aren't able to make it out for the events you can support the WAC by purchasing raffle tickets or bidding on items in our online auctionhere.  The online auction and raffle will run from Jan 20th at Midnight to February 5th at 8PM.  

 

Regions covered