Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Triggering avalanches up to 2 feet deep in wind-blown new snow will be likely today in exposed terrain, especially along ridgelines.  Avoid wind-loaded slopes.   While less likely to trigger, persistent weak layers still lurk deeper in the snowpack in isolated areas of Northerly aspects.  Careful consideration should be taken before committing to avalanche terrain on the North half of the compass.  

This forecast is sponsored by Brooks Painting 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    1-2 feet of new snow has fallen in the Elkhorns and Southern Wallowas since Monday.  Recent moderate to strong winds have blown from the Southeast, South, and Southwest and have transported this snow onto leeward aspects along ridgelines and exposed terrain.  Look for signs of wind-stiffened snow in your travels today such as cracking around your skis or machine and rippled, pillow-like features.  Find small unconsequential test slopes to ride or walk across to test the sensitivity of wind slabs.  Avoid areas that are wind-loaded in terrain greater than 30 degrees.  

    (3/27/2024)

    8" deep avalanche at 8200' on a North aspect in terrain steeper than 35 degrees. 

    Photo: Tom Guthrie

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3

    Remember what we said earlier in the season?  Don't trust a facet until it is swimming in the river.

    Persistent weak layers should still be on your radar in isolated areas on the North half of the compass.  These layers exist between 2-4 feet in the snowpack at this point.  Areas to be aware of are wind-protected, shallow rocky areas with convex rollovers. 

    The two main layers to be on the lookout for are

    1.) A layer of surface hoar that was buried on 2/26 has been still showing reactivity in snowpack tests. 

    2.)  The weak facets that can be found above or below the rain crust that was buried on 2/1. 

    We have just added over an inch of water weight to the snowpack.  Combined with the weigh of the unlucky rider, this could be enough to tip the balance in shallow rocky locations. 

    This is a low-likelihood/high-consequence scenario and should be treated with careful consideration.  

    Before committing to consequential avalanche terrain on the north half of the compass, do your homework to evaluate the snowpack structure.  This problem will not provide you with obvious clues such as collapsing or whumphing of the snowpack.  The only way to have greater certainty of whether this problem exists is to dig down to the layer(s) of concern and conduct a snowpack test.  

Avalanche Discussion

The 1-2 feet of new snow that has fallen since Monday sits above a stout and supportive melt-freeze crust from the mid-month warmup.  In addition to the avalanche problems mentioned above, be aware of a stiffening storm slab or dry loose avalanches in wind-protected areas that could slide easily on the melt-freeze crust or density changes within the new snow.   In your travels, use hand pits to see how well the new storm snow has bonded to the old surface.  You can also gain a lot of information about the reactivity of these slabs by riding across small test slopes that have little to no consequence.  

Excitement is abundant with the return of winter and many people are frothing for some more powder turns.  Use a conservative mindset, make a travel plan with wide margins, and always utilize safe travel techniques such as only exposing one rider on slopes at a time, keeping eyes on them, and regrouping in zones that limit your exposure.  

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