Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Rain on snow and warm daytime temperatures will increase the likelihood of Wet Loose Avalanches in steep terrain.   If you observe roller balls and pinwheels the new snow is losing strength and you should look for lower-angle terrain.  Avoid terrain traps where heavy wet snow could pile up and make it harder to escape even a small avalanche.  

This forecast is sponsored by Brooks Painting in La Grande.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The most recent storm snow will likely become wet and heavy today as snow turns to rain in the Blues.  Assuming this occurs, be on the lookout for visual clues that the surface snow is losing strength.  Roller balls and pinwheels are the first signs and good indicators of the wet loose problem.  

    Snow that has fallen in the past 48 hours is resting on the December 3rd rain crust and will have a slick bed surface to travel on.  Triggering a wet loose that leads into a terrain trap is a serious concern.  A wet loose avalanche traveling on a crust gives you limited opportunity to arrest your slide.  

    Wet Loose debris

Avalanche Discussion

 Recruiting Professional Motorized Observers:  The WAC needs snowmobilers/snow bikers who've completed a Level 2 Avalanche course to submit professional observations.  Through a grant, we received from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department we have funding to sponsor this program.  If you are interested please email WAC Director Victor McNeil [email protected] 

Weather Jan 2 till now:  Elevated snow levels brought warm and wet conditions to NE Oregon Jan 2-3.  Many of our local Snotel sites gained over 1" of SWE, but snow accumulation was light.  High Ridge in the Blues went from 15.3" to 16.5" of SWE, but snow totals only increased 5".  In the Elkhorns the Bourne Snotel went from 11.1" to 12.5" of SWE, but lost 2".  Schneider Meadows went from 24" to 27" but only reported gaining 3" of new snow.  Aneroid Snotel went from 10.3" to 11.1" and only gained 2" of snow.  

A general rule of thumb is 1" of SWE=12" of snow.  Hopefully, all of that water will help our drought situation.  

Regions covered