Avalanche forecast

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

AN AVALANCHE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAINS FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

A potent winter storm has brought a significant amount of precipitation to the Blue Mountains in the last 24 hours mostly in the form of rain. Snow levels have hovered between 5500' and 6500'. Most Snotel sites in the Blues are reporting 1.5" to 3.2" of water (rain) since yesterday morning.  Rain on snow elevates the avalanche hazard quickly and creates unstable conditions.  Expect reactive wet slab instability (12-18" thick) to exist for the next 24 hours at all elevation bands. Natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely on slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    A warm front impacting our area last night and through this morning has brought warm temperatures and rain to lower elevations. Most Snotel sites in NE Oregon are indicating a rain line hovering between 6,000 - 7,000 feet. Milkshakes Snotel (5600') at 5am has a temp of 31F and received an 3.2" of water most likely in the form of rain. Any time you get rain on snow the snowpack can become unstable quickly. With all this new snow, the additional weight and loss of strength brought by the rain could produce wet slab avalanches 1-2' deep on a variety of aspects at elevations from 4,000 - 6,000'. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid and stay out from underneath slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

Regions covered