Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

It is likely that you could trigger a fresh windslab along leeward ridgelines and cross loaded mid slope terrain features today.  The 3-4 feet of new snow that has fallen in the Blues in the last several days is sitting upon a thick rain crust that could be the perfect bed surface for natural and human triggered avalanches.  Mid and lower elevations will host storm slab avalanche potential today as the new snow settles into more of a cohesive slab. Stick to slopes with slope angles less than 30 degrees and if witnessing any of the 5 red flags of instability, dial back your terrain choices even further.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There is plenty of new snow available for transport, and with strong NW winds yesterday and overnight, sensitive windslabs may be easy to trigger today.    Look for clues of windloading such as smooth looking pillows, wind stripped ridgelines, and cross loaded terrain features.  Sensitive fresh cornice development is another clue that there is windloading often just below these cornices.  Avoidance is the best strategy with windslabs.  

  • Storm Slabs

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

    With time, temperature, and exposure to the sun, the new snow will settle into more of a cohesive slab.  Storm slabs are usually most easily triggered during and just after new snow storms.  Up to 4 feet of snow has blanketed the Blues since Monday, and this has fallen on a crust that formed on Monday 2/22.  The snowpack needs time to adjust to this load.  Make conservative terrain choices today- or stay out of avalanche terrain all together!    Test for reactiveness of the new snow by utilizing small, inconsequential test slopes.    

Avalanche Discussion

Since Monday 2/22, the Milkshakes Snotel has recieved 6.8" of snow water equivelant!  Early on in this weather system, the precipation fell as rain and developed a thick rain crust that the new snow fell on.  This is a perfect bed surface for sensitive wind slabs that will continue to likely be triggered today.   The new snow will continue to settle into storm slabs,  and dry loose avalanches will also be possible today.  Although dry loose avalanches are sometimes not deep enough to bury a person, the consequences will be exaserbated by terrain traps such as gullies or cliffs.  

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