Bollettino valanghe

Northern Wallowas

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 8 months ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Small avalanches are possible in high terrain where temperatures are cold enough for new snow accumulation. Watch for signs of the wind moving dry snow onto leeward slopes and below ridgelines if you travel above 8000'.  Avoid steep slopes if you find more than a few inches of cold, dry snow.    

This forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    The Northern Wallowas have received over 0.5" of water in the past 24 hours, but high freezing levels leave a large amount of uncertainty as to where this has fallen as snow. The Southern Wallowas are forecasted to receive over 0.5" on the eastern side of the range today, with low enough freezing levels to support 4-8" of new snow. Winds will continue to be strong enough to build wind slabs IF snow is dry enough to move. The size of these slabs highly depends on the amount of new snow available. Should you plan to travel to high terrain (>8000'), pay attention to how much new snow has fallen and how the wind has affected it. If you see scouring, pillows, drifts, fresh cornices, or notice shooting cracks, avoid slopes greater than 30 degrees. Any accumulated precipitation at the mid and lower elevations is likely too wet to build slabs, but approach consequential or large pieces of leeward terrain with a skeptical eye.   

    (12/27/2025)

    An example of a terrain feature susceptible to wind loading. 

    Photo: Wallowa Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The weather pattern both yesterday and today has consisted of intense but brief squalls with strong south winds, especially over the high terrain of the Wallowas. As the freezing levels drop, any new precipitation should fall as dry snow, hence the increase in avalanche danger. The danger for the Northern Wallowas will start at moderate today with new snow and strong winds in the previous 24hrs, while the danger for the Southern Wallowas will start at low today and rise to moderate as new snow arrives. Uncertainty around the freezing level and lack of observations from very high terrain remain factors to contend with. 

While the snowpack is generally well settled, facets have been observed near the ground in locations where snow from October and November was not completely saturated by rain. These snow grains are notoriously weak and can avalanche when they receive rapid, large loads such as several feet of new snow. The spatial distribution of these facets, particularly the ones directly above the ground, is worth tracking. Currently, the snowpack above these grains contains enough ice that it remains incredibly unlikely for a human to affect this layer, however, should you venture into very high alpine terrain where a thinner, weaker snowpack may exist, consider avoiding shallow rocky areas or high consequence slopes until these grains have had more time to bond. The higher and colder the slope (think north facing terrain), the more likely they are to exist. If you find yourself with the time to dig to the ground in one of these areas, let us know what you find... 

New resources for 2026

Avalanche Courses: The WAC offers avalanche education tailored specifically for both backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.  Check out all of our courses here.  

Observations:  Submit an observation here.  Let's paint this picture together.   An observation can be just that- a picture and where it is.  It doesn't have to use any technical wording or snow nerd acronyms.  Just explain where you went and what you saw (or if you did not see avalanches).   Submitting observations through the Avy App has made it incredibly easy for forecasters and recreational users.

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