Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Highlights

Sensitive windslabs on terrain steeper than 35 degrees is still a concern on north, northeast, and east facing terrain near and just below ridge tops. When recreating in the aforementioned terrain evaluate the snow and terrain carefully before venturing out onto that steep slope. The other problem today is warming temperatures,especially on solar aspects. Get off of and out from under steep sun affected slopes when you start to observe roller balls, pin wheels, and point releases on the surface of the snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Terrain  on steep  north, northeast, and possibly east facing terrain at ridgelines is still holding sensitive windslabs in the Northern Elkhorns, and I assume the same could be true for the Wallowa mountains as well. If you choose to recreate on terrain steeper than 35 degrees in the high alpine today, carefully evaluate your chosen terrain and snow conditions before moving out onto that steep terrain . Know that small avalanches are possible on these steep north through east ridgeline terrain features.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    As temperatures rise this morning be on the lookout for signs that the snow surface is starting to weaken. The presence of pinwheels, roller balls, and point releases are bulls eye evidence that the snow you are observing is starting to weaken. It would be wise today to plan your travels on steep sunny terrain so that you are off of, and out from under, slopes steeper than 35 degrees by late morning. You definitely want to avoid being on or under steep slopes when wet sluffs are active. A wet sluff can carry a recreationalist into undesirable and consequential terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

The weather pattern we are in the midst of is creating persistent grain types at and near the surface of the snow. Observers are noting the presence of surface hoar as well as facets at the snow surface at several mountain locations. Victor McNeil goes into this in detail in a blog he posted on January 11 in the Conditions Blog section of the Avalanche Advisory. If you're interested in reading about how the snowpack is changing as we move into mid winter, check out Victor's article.

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