Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Bottom Line

One week ago the Southern Wallowas received a few inches of wintry mix near treeline, with rain below and snow in the alpine. Tuesday brought about 2 inches of snow and moderate, gusty winds from the north, loading south aspects and buffing north facing slopes. Last night we received 4 inches of new, light snow at nearly all elevations, with light wind.

While relatively new snow is sitting on a crust, there was not enough snow to create storm slabs. There is a distinct possibility of old wind slabs on S facing terrain in the alpine underneath new snow. The only slides observed today were loose snow avalanches: Natural wet loose on solar aspects, skier triggered dry loose on shaded slopes.