Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It remains possible to trigger wind-loaded pockets of snow along exposed upper elevation ridgelines and cross-loaded mid-slope features.  Avoid stiff, dune-like formations and slopes directly below corniced ridgelines.   Terrain that has been sheltered from the wind will hold better-quality riding.   

 This forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have decreased, but isolated pockets of stubborn windslabs will likely still linger at mid and upper elevations.   Avoid areas that have stiff-looking or hollow-sounding snow surfaces.   If you see shooting cracks in stiff snow, you have likely found a windslab.  Use small test slopes to test the sensitivity of representative slopes.  When in doubt, select less consequential terrain.  

    Wind slabs are most likely on steep leeward slopes below cornices, ridgelines and saddles.  Mid-slope features such as ridgelines/subridges can cross-load.  Check out the picture to the right for classic examples of features to avoid.  

    Carefully monitor how far you are sinking into the snow as you travel and pay attention to the stiffness and texture of the snow surface. Smooth, rounded pillows of textured snow, drifts, and areas of unusually deep or shallow snow are signs that wind loading has occurred. Cracking, collapsing, and strong over weak snow are signs that you have found a wind slab. 

    (1/10/2026)

    The two circles indicate pockets of wind loaded snow.  When you see these, avoid them.  It looks like there is a crown below them, but it is an animal track. 

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

Avalanche Discussion

Wind Slabs:

The wind slab problem should be straightforward to recognize and avoid along upper elevation ridgelines.  We have seen 6 large natural wind slab avalanches in the Northern and Southern Wallowas since last Tuesday.   We are now about 72 hours after the initial wind loading event, and wind slabs that formed during that event should decrease in sensitivity, especially with warming temperatures!   There is still plenty of snow to be blown around, so monitor any new wind loading patterns and avoid terrain steeper than 30 degrees if you see active wind loading on those slopes.  

What's going on deeper in the snowpack?

While the avalanche danger may be moderate at upper elevations and low at mid and lower elevations, there remains uncertainty about the distribution of weak faceted snow around several crusts in the snowpack  (12/18, 12/26, and 1/3).    Forecasters and observers continue to get mixed results in snowpack tests.  In areas where layers of facets or large graupel sit on a crust, extra caution is warranted.   Before committing to avalanche terrain, it's recommended to dig down in the snowpack to observe any weak snow around these crusts.  When higher degrees of uncertainty exist, always defer to less consequential terrain less than 30 degrees in steepness. 

Yesterday, observers found a strong snowpack structure in Upper McCully Basin.  See the profile and video below.  Find all recent observations here.  

What are you seeing in the snowpack? Please send us an observation!  Notable information includes the depth of any crusts and the hardness of the snow above and below these crusts, as well as the amounts of snow you encounter at various elevations. 

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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