Avalanche forecast

Southern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

12" of new snow with more on the way will create storm snow instabilites. Dry loose and storm slab avalanches are likely. Triggering a storm slab could be enough of a trigger to release an avalanche buried deeper in the snowpack. Staying off slopes steeper than 30 degrees is advised to avoid getting caught in a slide.

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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Despite the warm weather and rain, poor snowpack structure still exists. While the likelihood of triggering a Persistent Slab avalanche has decreased, it is still possible. The slab of snow sitting above the weak layers has gotten more dense due to recent weather. Triggering an avalanche would have serious consequences. If you want to avoid avalanches you should stay off of slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

    Ski Guide/Pro Observer Willie Sloop posted an observation yesterday, 2/2 documenting this problem.

      

  • Storm Slabs

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

    12" of new snow since 2/1 with more forecasted for today has created storm slab instabilities. These slabs will rest atop a melt-freeze crust. This crust will create a great sliding surface for any slide that gets moving.

    Fresh snow begs to be tracked, especially after two weeks with no new snow. Fighting the urge to step out onto terrain steeper than 30 degrees will be necessary to avoid getting caught in an avalanche.

    (1/11/2024)

    Cracks like this in fresh snow are indications of storm slabs.

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

Avalanche Discussion

12" of new snow since 2/1 with more forecasted for today has created storm slab instabilities. These slabs will rest atop a melt-freeze crust. This crust will create a great sliding surface for any slide that gets moving. Dry Loose avalanches are also likely. Any terrain capable of producing one of these new snow avalanches is also capable of producing persistent slab avalanches. Ski Guide/Pro Observer Willie Sloop posted an observation yesterday, 2/2 documenting this problem. A complicated snowpack with overlapping avalanche problems means choosing terrain less than 30 degrees is the best way to avoid triggering a slide.

The past two weeks have been warm and the mountains have received some rain. Large wet slides have been observed. This has changed and consolidated the snowpack. While the overall stability trend is headed in a good direction it is still possible to trigger a very large avalanche breaking 2-6' deep. The poor snowpack structure still exists. Continued vigilance is necessary to avoid getting caught in a powerful destructive avalanche.

JOIN US THIS WEEKEND at ANTHONY LAKES MOUNTAIN RESORT FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL EASTERN OREGON BACKCOUNTRY FESTIVAL. 

Saturday, Feb 3rd-

  • Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race 8 am 
  • 10 AM Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic
  • 1 PM Snowpack assessment clinic
  • 3 PM Live music in the Starbottle

Sunday, Feb 4th-

  • Backcountry ski tour into Angell Basin

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