The storm that came through our region Tuesday into Wednesday dumped approximately 2' of snow and added 3" of water to our snowpack.This copious amount of precipitation was accompanied by moderate to strong south winds.This combination of snow and wind layed down thick sensitive windslabs in the alpine and at ridge lines.These windslabs will be sensitive/reactive to the weight of a person on steep leeward facing terrain.
Expect to see windslabs on north,northeast,and east facing terrain high in the alpine and especially at ridge lines.On this leeward facing terrain steeper than 35 degrees it is very possible to trigger a potentially dangerous avalanche.
As temperatures rise above freezing you might observe roller ball activity on the snow surface.This is a sign that the sun drenched slope you are recreating on is becoming unstable.Other signs of sun induced instability includes snow falling off tree limbs and sinking into the snow past your ankles on sun saturated snow.If you are on sunny slopes and you observe these signs of instability it is time to move to shady slopes or slopes less than 35 degrees steep.
Reports came in from the South Wallowas that approximately 2' of snow was received at Norway Basin then rain as up as 8000' . Natural avalanches were observed on the East side of Cornacopia Peak yesterday morning.Also observed yesterday morning was the remnants of a natural avalanche that occurred at the Shooting Gallery zone above Cornacopia Lodge on the way to Norway Basin.These avalanches probably occurred very early Wednesday morning.For more detailed information see the observation that was submitted for January 12.
