Avalanche forecast

Southern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Lingering wind drifted snow and cornices may remain in leeward terrain along upper ridgelines.  These areas should be avoided.   Lower elevation terrain that is seeing warmer temperatures and sun may start to develop small wet loose avalanches.  In your travels today, if you are seeing any redflags of instabilty such as rapid warming from the sun or temperature, cracks in the snow surface, strong over weak snow in your handpits or pole pokes, or signs of avalanche activity, choose more simple terrain with slope angles less than 35 degrees.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Lingering and stubborn windslabs will remain along leeward ridgelines.   While they may not be very sensitive, it's always a good idea to maintain your ability to be surprised in the mountains.  Continue to avoid areas that have rounded and smooth pillowy snow surfaces or start zones that have a rippled snow texture.  Cornices have grown in the last week and should be given a wide berth.  They may break further back than expected, especially during times of warming temperatures.  

    (1/12/2022) Cornices and wind loading along Wing Ridge. Photo: Alonso Mendoza

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Look for evidence of wet loose avalanches during the warmest part of the day today.  As the snow surface warms from direct sun and warm temperatures, it may loose cohesion and start small wet loose avalanches.  These could occur in terrain steeper than 35 degrees near rocks and cliff bands that hold heat and warm the snow faster.  The can start as small point releases such as in the adjacent photo.  Other signs of wet loose activity include pinwheels of snow rolling down a steep slope.   While today's wet loose problem will likely not big enough to bury a person, a wet loose avalanche could certainly knock you off of your feet injuring you or carrying you over consequential terrain such as a cliff or into a group of trees.  

    (1/5/2022)

    This photo was taken during the warmup last week.  Surface snow is warm and wet at this location, has started a point release given the steep slope angle.  Point releases and pinwheels are telltale signs of wet loose avalanche activity. 

    Photo: cm

Avalanche Discussion

An inch or so of new snow yesterday afternoon fell and hopefully improved the riding a bit.  Previous to this shot of snow, the snow surface was a mixed bag.  Protected northerly aspects likely held the last few pockets of soft snow, while exposed terrain features exposed to the wind and sun held wind and sun affected snow surfaces.  Observations point to a mostly right side up snowpack in the Northern Wallowas.  The good news is that the 1/6 warmup/rain event did not lay down a significant rain crust in this zone at least above 7,000'.     On Wednesday, observers on an East aspect at 8200' noted some graupel about a foot down from the surface with a hardness change in the snowpack.  Moderate shovel shear tests were noted on this layer.  

Please submit observations to the WAC site here.  Forecasters rely on your eyes out there to help paint a better picture.  Even just a photo of what you are seeing is extremely helpful.  Thanks! 

 

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