Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Significant new snowfall in the past 24 hours will make for dangerous avalanche conditions.  Natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely today on all aspects.  Stick to low-angle terrain features, and avoid traveling under steep terrain.  

This forecast is sponsored by Outlaw Motorsports in Enterprise, OR.  

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    It's a pretty simple story here.  It just snowed a lot in the Blues, and the snowpack needs time to adjust to the new load.  Travel advice is simple: cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential today.  In the past 7 days, the High Ridge Snotel increased from 18-39" and gained 3.5" of Snow water equivalent (SWE) while the Milkshakes snotel went from 24"-51" and picked up 4.3" of SWE.  That's a significant new load, essentially doubling the snowpack in a short time period.  

Avalanche Discussion

The Blues are dominating the snow totals in NE OR, picking up 3-4+ feet of new snow this past week.  Mother nature needs time to adjust to the weight of this new load.  The highest elevation north-northeast facing terrain in the Blues very likely has weak faceted snow at the bottom of the snowpack.  The weight of the new snow from this week will test this weak sugary snow.  If you feel the snowpack collapse below you, it's likely due to the facets in the lower snowpack.  

The 5-Red Flags are a great tool to assist your decision-making. 

1. Significant new snow in a short time period

2. Cracking or collapsing of the snowpack

3. Sustained moderate winds

4. Rapid warmup

5. Natural avalanches 

Please send us your observations, they could save someone's life.  You can post an observation on our website, or click this link.  

Regions covered