Bulletin d’avalanche

Blues

Wallowa Avalanche Center
Voir sur la carte

Danger d’avalanche

Sat
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
3 · Marqué
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
Open full map
Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 2 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Human-triggered avalanches from extreme wind loading are likely today, and natural avalanches are possible.   Triggering a wind slab could produce a much larger avalanche on weak-faceted snow buried 2-4' from the surface.  The safest and most enjoyable riding will take place at lower elevations and in wind-protected areas.  

This forecast is sponsored by Flow State Handyman Services, serving Wallowa County.  

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1–2

    Extreme weather can create unusual avalanche behavior.  We received an observation yesterday of winds strong enough to knock a person over.  This backcountry traveler also observed a Natural Avalanche on an NE aspect at 7,000' between Little Sheep Creek and Cabin Creek drainages in the Northern Wallowas. 

    Wind slabs will be prevalent and sensitive today to the weight of a rider.  Use caution if traveling in open terrain, as you can trigger wind slabs above you.  Look for blowing snow, textured surfaces, and pillow or lens-like deposits, and avoid steep slopes where you see any of these signs.  Fresh wind loading may increase the chances of triggering a high-consequence persistent slab avalanche on steep open slopes.

    With the intensity of the wind, you may observe wind loading further downslope than expected.  Winds can behave erratically, loading slopes in multiple orientations.  It's best to avoid this hazard altogether, especially knowing we have much weaker snow buried 2-4' below the snow surface.  

    Photo: SD

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1.5–2.5

    We have weak snow, buried 2-4' below the snow surface, and although we haven't seen much activity on these January Facets it doesn't mean they should be written off.  Unfortunately, you probably won't receive any feedback before it's too late.   It's easier to rely on shooting cracks, whumpfing, and natural avalanches to deter us from stepping out onto slopes that are tempting.  You can dig down and assess the various snow layers, and you may not receive alarming test results, but some of the best in the business don't ski or ride slopes greater than 30 degrees when they know the slope has a persistent weak layer, with a slab above!  

    (2/8/2025) Photo: Kevin Cassidy

Avalanche Discussion

When the weather becomes erratic, so does the snowpack.  Over the next several days we are going to see some Red Flags, with moderate to strong winds, new snowfall and a rising snow level.  The January Facets haven't really come alive, but each time we have a significant weather change they are back on the table.  This is a good time to hit the reset button on the way you view terrain that maybe you've been riding in, on, or around.  If you are visiting this region for the first time this winter, spend some time digging into the snow and look for strong snow, overriding soft or weak snow.  

Storm Slabs: For the Blues, Elkhorns and Southern Wallowas be on the lookout for Storm Slabs today in locations where the wind hasn't abused the new snow.  Anytime we pick up around 8" of new snow, without wind effect Storm Slabs should come to mind.  The new snow may be a bit heavier, than the snow below it making it more sensitive to the weight of a rider.  You only have to isolate a 1'x1' column of snow and pull on it to determine how well the new snow is bonding and if it has a slab-like character.  

Please send us your observations, which can include photos from your house of blowing snow in the mountains.  

Régions couvertes