Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Complex avalanche conditions are developing. Human triggered avalanches are likely at upper elevations from new snow, and old snow is beginning to show signs of instability. Avoid steep terrain and use careful route selection. Avalanche likelihood and size will increase as you gain elevation.  

Today's forecast is sponsored by the Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Recent storms have dumped over a foot of new snow since Valentine's Day, which is starting to form a cohesive slab. This problem has been observed on a large variety of aspects and elevations, and will likely be more obvious at upper elevations where the wind has accelerated slab formation. Cracking around your skis, machine, or in the corners of your skintrack is a sign a slab has formed. Hand shears and small test slopes are excellent tools to help identify this problem. Carefully monitor the size and depth of these slabs as they continue to settle, and avoid terrain where you find more than 4" of cohesive snow on the surface. 

    (2/18/2026)

    A shooting crack in sheltered terrain around 7000'. 

    Photo: Sarah Jakober

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Beneath the new storm snow the situation gets complicated. The Wallowas have received over 2' of snow since February 8th, ending the January drought and burying a layer of facets. These facets are becoming reactive in snowpack tests and observers have started reporting collapsing (or whumpfing) in isolated areas. These grains are less of a concern in areas where thick crusts formed on the surface before February 8th. Surface hoar was also observed up to 8400' in the Southern Wallowas before the Valentine's Day storm, specific to sheltered terrain facing north and east, and has been found buried intact in a few locations. 

    Managing this instability will require patience and conservative terrain choices. Persistent slabs are notorious for giving little to no feedback. Consider the consequences of even a small storm slab, should it step down and trigger deeper layers, and carefully evaluate the structure of the snowpack before choosing steeper terrain. If you find a cohesive slab over weak facets or buried surface hoar, avoid avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations: If you are out in the mountains, please send us an observation of what you saw. All observations are noteworthy and greatly help the forecasters. If you snapped some photos, please include those as well. 

Beacon Parks: Thank you to everyone who helped establish the beacon training park at Anthony Lakes (across from the ski lift on Mud Lake) and near the warming shelter at Salt Creek Summit snopark outside of Joseph, OR. These are free tools that we should all take advantage of.  

 

 

Upcoming Events:  Snowmobile Riding Clinic for Snow Professionals Feb 26-27

If you are a snow professional who’s interested in building your snowmobile skills and technique, or are looking to advance to the next level, the Wallowa Avalanche Center is offering a 2-day clinic on February 26-27.  This clinic is open to Avalanche Forecasters, ski patrollers, ski guides, and other industry professionals.  Click here to learn more.  

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