Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist today in the mountains of Northeast Oregon. Watch for instabilities in the snow on steep solar aspects by late morning or very early afternoon as temperatures go above freezing. Be prepared to exit steep sun affected slopes if or when you start to observe red flag signs of instability like roller balls, wet sluffs, and snow melting off of tree limbs.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Partly to mostly sunny skies and above freezing temperatures are in the mountain weather forecast for today. With this warm and sunny weather comes the potential for wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects at all elevations. If you plan to recreate on steep south facing slopes today it would be best to get on the aforementioned slopes early while the snow surface is supportable. Plan or be prepared to move off these steep solar aspects by early afternoon or when you start observing signs of instability. These signs of instability, or red flags, include sun balls/roller balls developing on the snow surface and wet sluffs on steep terrain, especially near rocky terrain features. Also, while traveling through the sun drenched snow, if you notice you are sinking into the snow past your boot tops, that is yet another red flag that it is time to move out of the sun and  onto lower angled slopes less than 35 degrees. Although relatively slow moving and seemingly benign, wet snow avalanches are powerful and can potentially carry a recreationalist into a dangerous terrain trap such as a tree or over a cliff.

Avalanche Discussion

Even though decent stability continues to be observed throughout our forecast region, small avalanches are still possible on steep shaded terrain at and near ridgelines. When recreating on these steep and very steep slopes it is prudent to evaluate the snow and terrain carefully before venturing out onto this steep terrain. Also know that a supportable and slick rain crust exists very close to the snow surface, particularly in the Elkhorn mountains at all elevations. A fall on this steep and slick terrain could mean a long uncontrollable slide with an undesirable outcome.

Regions covered