Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Rain on snow up to 7500' by this evening will increase the danger of wet snow avalanches throughout the day.  Rain applies to all aspects but these will be most reactive on shaded mid-elevation slopes with formerly-dry snow.  If you choose to recreate in the mountains today, move off of and away from steep slopes and the runout zones of avalanche paths that may start in the clouds.  

This forecast is sponsored by Quickhatch Provisions of Joseph, OR.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Although yesterday was warm when the sun appeared, N and E aspects preserved cold dry powder.  Unfortunately, a rain on snow event up to 7500' today will initiate a wet loose cycle, especially on shady slopes at mid-elevations that are seeing a rapid change.  

    Clues are easy for this problem: rain or seeing rollerballs/pinwheels.  Seek slopes under 35 degrees and avoid the runouts of paths that start near or far above you.  

    (1/12/2025)

    An example of an avalanche runout zone in the Northern Wallowas 

    Photo: Steve D

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslabs have largely healed yesterday, but if you happen to travel above 8000' today, you could encounter a fresh one from today's alpine snow and winds.  Look for texture or dune formations or cracking extending from you, feel for stiffer or styrofoam snow, and avoid these features on slopes over 30 deg.  

Avalanche Discussion

A rain on snow event will increase the danger through the day.  This is a rapid change that will impact our 1-2'+ of new snow over the last week.  Activity will be most pronounced today on steep slopes where the rain line pushes into mid-elevations, while Monday it will focus on the alpine.  

  • An observer yesterday at Salt Creek Summit in the N Wallowas got a surprise treat of 12" of dry new snow that did not slab up on northerlies.  They saw 1 small human-triggered avalanche at mid elevations and no naturals. 
  • In the Elkhorns, a small natural (est. D1.5) windslab ran on the NW face of Lee's Peak, looker's right of the Lee's chute.  It likely released on Friday night due to windloading and ran for ~300'.   
  • A ski guide in the Western Wallowas reported 30cm new snow yesterday (430cm total snow!) and a D1 natural slab, likely triggered Fri night from a cornice fall (photo below).  
  • Snowmobiling in the S Wallowas yesterday, we saw well into the alpine and were able to find only 1 small crown on steep, rocky terrain.  

With warm temps yesterday, these previous slab avalanches reflect a problem that has healed and is no longer relevant.  Especially with new snow or warming instabilities, danger can fall within hours (as we saw Fri night into Sat day) or rise within hours (as we see today).  

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