Avalanche forecast

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches remain likely at mid and upper elevations where winds have built thick slabs sensitive to human triggering. These slabs will live below ridgelines and saddles on steep exposed slopes. Watch for signs of wind effect and monitor the snow stiffness as you travel.  

This forecast is sponsored by the CB Construction in La Grande, OR.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A day of active wind loading yesterday extended the likelihood of encountering an avalanche on steep leeward slopes below ridgelines at middle and upper elevations. Abundant new snow available for transport means these slabs could be quite deep - up to three feet in some areas. Their relatively young age (<24hrs) and the recent cold temperatures will likely keep them sensitive to human triggering throughout the day today.  Avalanches are also unlikely but not impossible in steep, sheltered terrain where new snow may have poorly bonded to the 1/3 crust.

    Carefully monitor how far you are sinking into the snow as you travel and pay attention to the stiffness and texture of the snow surface. Smooth, rounded pillow shapes, drifts, and areas of unusually deep or shallow snow are signs that wind loading has occurred. Cracking, collapsing, and strong over weak snow are signs that you have found a wind slab. 

    A public observation submitted 1/7/26 shows a human triggered wind slab in the Northern Wallowas. 

Avalanche Discussion

While the avalanche danger may be moderate, uncertainty is high and warrants its own conversation. Forecasters have been monitoring several buried crusts in the snowpack, and small facets have been observed around these crusts. We do not have the evidence or likelihood to warrant forecasting a persistent slab problem; however, we do have concerning snowpack structure and a very large amount of uncertainty due to freezing levels and spatial variability. Now is not the time for aggressive terrain choices, even if the surface instabilities appear manageable. If you're interested in digging, please send us an observation! Notable information includes the depth of any crusts and the hardness of the snow above and below these crusts, as well as the amounts of snow you encounter at various elevations. This observation is a perfect example of uncertainty at work in the current snowpack.

Snowmobile Riding Clinic for Snow Professionals Feb 26-27

If you are a snow professional who’s interested in building your snowmobile skills and technique, or are looking to advance to the next level, the Wallowa Avalanche Center is offering a 2-day clinic on February 26-27.  This clinic is open to Avalanche Forecasters, ski patrollers, ski guides, and other industry professionals.  Click here to learn more.  

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