Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Rain, above-freezing temperatures, and rising freezing levels make triggering a wet avalanche likely.  These wet snow avalanche problems will exist at all elevations and on all aspects. If you observe rollerballs, pinwheels, or start sinking into the snow- it's time to move away from slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    It rained yesterday, didn't freeze overnight and daytime temperatures are forecasted to reach 45 degrees- this is a recipe for wet avalanches. Wet Slab avalanches occur when meltwater percolates through the snowpack and lubricates a crust. This lubricated crust becomes the sliding surface for the snow above.  This type of avalanche is very difficult to predict.

     If you are sinking to your boot tops in wet snow, you need to avoid all avalanche terrain.  It's important to determine your entry and exit points and avoid crossing underneath steep terrain late in the day.  

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Some new heavy wet snow fell yesterday. It also rained, didn't freeze overnight, and is supposed to get very warm today.  If you observe rollerballs, and pinwheels or can feel the surface becoming saturated it's time to avoid avalanche terrain.  A wet loose avalanche may not be big enough to bury or kill you, but could still push you into consequential terrain.  

  • Cornices

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

    Warming temperatures will strain sagging cornices.  These beasts have grown quite large over the past couple of weeks, and some may reach their tipping point. Use extreme caution as cornices often connect to terrain features much further back than you might expect.  Also, avoid traveling below slopes with cornices above you.  It's nearly impossible to forecast when a cornice might cut loose, but you want to be far away in the event this takes place.  

    (4/6/2023) Photo: VM

Avalanche Discussion

Today is the fourth day of above-freezing temperatures in the Blues. Heavy wet snow, rain, 45-degree temperatures, and no freeze overnight make for dangerous avalanche conditions. Rollerballs, pinwheels, wet surface snow, and sinking up to your boot tops in wet snow are all signs wet avalanches are imminent. If you observe these conditions avoid avalanche terrain.

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