Avalanche forecast

Southern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm temperatures and direct sun will create wet loose avalanches on steep sunny aspects.  If you start to see roller balls and pinwheels, point releases from rocks or vegetation, or you are sinking up to your boot tops in wet slushy snow, it is time to change your aspect and elevation.  Avoid traveling on or underneath steep, cliffy terrain.  

Forecast presented by @onxbackcountry. onXbackcountry is a GPS navigation and mapping tool designed with your backcountry objectives in mind, equipped with Avalanche Forecast and Slope Angle layers, Offline maps and more.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Today the peak of high temperatures is forecasted to reach 40 degrees and the freezing level is around 7600'.  The warm temperatures have created wet snow surfaces from the sun and heat.   If you see signs of rollerballs and pinwheels, point releases out of steep rock areas, or you are sinking up to the top of your boots in wet loose snow it is time for you to get off those slopes and find a shadier aspect on lower angle terrain.  Avoid traveling underneath or on steep facing terrain that has been getting direct sun.  

     

     

Avalanche Discussion

Over the past week, we have seen warm temperatures with many areas not freezing overnight.  The strong high-pressure system will peak today and we could see record-setting high temperatures in parts of the forecast area.  Highs today will reach into the 40's with freezing levels above 7000' in all zones.   Friday we will see a decrease in temperatures with N-NE winds.  We are likely to see inversions in the valley bottom Friday and through the weekend.  The pattern of clear and dry conditions looks to remain in the forecast through the weekend. 

Yesterday when traveling in the Western Wallowas we saw water percolating down into the snowpack and sitting on the January 6th crust.  Many days of warm temperatures have caused the snowpack to become saturated with water on solar aspects.  With the peak of the warm temperatures hitting today, we will see wet loose avalanches. 

Submit your observations of what you are seeing out there here.  

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival.  This event raised $10,000 to help sustain the Wallowa Avalanche Center and make 4 forecasts a week possible.  Thanks!!

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