Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

By this afternoon expect heightened avalanche conditions on all terrain steeper than 30 degrees. Up to 5" of new snow is forecasted to accumulate by the end of the day. I expect the new snow to bond poorly to the old snow surfaces which include surface hoar on northwest, north, northeast, and east facing slopes. The new snow should also bond poorly to crusty surfaces that exist on west, southwest, south,southeast, and east facing terrain. By this afternoon, it could be easy for a rider to trigger a consequential avalanche. Evaluate  snow, weather, and terrain carefully before committing to that steep line this afternoon as the new snow starts to accumulate.

 

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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    While ski touring in the Northern Wallowas yesterday I observed surface hoar throughout my tour from 6000' up to 9000' . Skies were sunny into the afternoon and temperatures were at or slightly below freezing, winds were light and variable all day. Clouds rolled in by early afternoon and it was snowing about a centimeter an an hour by 3:00. I expect the surface hoar to linger on shady north facing slopes today protected from wind. New snow that is forecasted to fall today, accompanied by light to moderate southwest wind, will bond poorly to the old snow surfaces harboring the aforementioned surface hoar, creating unstable snow conditions. Look for these unstable conditions to exist on steep northwest, north, northeast, and east facing terrain at all elevations. Also, observers from the Elkhorns and Western Wallowas were seeing surface hoar during their travels from elevation levels of 5000' - 8600' as well. I expect generally safe avalanche conditions first thing this morning. By early to mid afternoon,expect avalanche conditions to increase significantly. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully this afternoon before committing to that slope steeper than 30 degrees.

    (3/22/2023)

    This photo of surface hoar was taken in the Northern Wallowas at a ridge top location at around 9000' . We saw surface hoar everywhere we traveled today between 6000' and 9000' . The surface hoar, where present, will be a weak layer that could easily fail under the weight of new snow expected to arrive Thursday into Saturday.

    Photo: TG

  • Loose Dry

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

    The last two days of sunshine has made any south facing slopes firm and crusty. These crusty solar aspects have been observed in the Blues, Wallowas, and Elkhorns. New snow forecasted to fall today will bond poorly to the old and firm snow surfaces making it easy for a recreationalist to trigger a loose avalanche. Look for loose dry instability on steep west, southwest, south, southeast, and possible east facing terrain below treeline today sheltered from the wind.  Generally safe avalanche conditions exist first thing this morning but expect avalanche danger to increase by this afternoon if forecasted snow accumulation come to fruition. By this afternoon, evaluate snow, weather, and terrain carefully before committing to that slope steeper than 30 degrees. The chance of getting buried by a loose dry avalanche today is slim, but a loose dry avalanche could carry a rider into trees, rock bands, or over cliffs.

    (3/21/2023)

    Photo taken on a northeast facing slope  at 5365' at Spout Springs in the Northern Oregon Blues. By Thursday morning expect to see this crust on all slopes in the area. Unfortunately, this crust will make an ideal sliding surface for the new snow that is expected to fall Thursday into Saturday.

    Photo: TG

Avalanche Discussion

Mountain winds have been light the last two days and into this morning. However, keep your eyes on wind speeds and associated wind deposited snow this afternoon. There is a chance we could see windslabs on leeward facing north, northeast, and east facing terrain at and above treeline especially in the northern Wallowas and Northern Blue mountains of Oregon by early this afternoon. It is a mixed bag today but one thing I believe, and that is that avalanche danger will increase throughout the day throughout the forecast region.

Regions covered