Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday was very windy in the mountains of NE Oregon. Just driving into the mountains you could see obvious plumes of wind suspended snow above any of the peaks. Expect windslab formation on north facing terrain at ridgelines and windslabs on cross loaded terrain features at and below treeline. Carefully analyze any terrain steeper than 35 degrees before committing to that terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate to strong south winds blew yesterday throughout our forecast area redistributing snow to leeward north facing aspects at ridgelines and cross loading a variety of different aspects at and below treeline, especially in the Northern Wallowas. Be wary of and expect to find windslab formation on north facing terrain at or near ridgelines. On terrain 35 degrees or steeper these windslabs could fail under the weight of a recreationalist. Wind loading also occurred yesterday at and below treeline. Carefully assess any steep slope you intend to recreate upon before committing to that slope.

    My skin track yesterday was filling in between runs just from wind deposited snow.

  • Cornices

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

    I am seeing large cornices at ridgelines everywhere I have been this past week. Cornices tend to brake further back from the edge than you might expect so be careful when moving through corniced terrain. Avoid looking over the edge and down into any slope you are considering until you are 100% certain you are not going out onto a cornice.

    One medium size cornice of many I have observed this past week.

Avalanche Discussion

Other than the wind and associated wind loading, I saw no other red flags yesterday. Snowpit data revealed a snowpack that is right side up. The 2/22 rain crust was buried 80 cm's down from the surface and was unreactive in my snowpit tests yesterday.

Regions covered