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Welcome to the Wallowa Avalanche Center on the web. We provide the winter backcountry traveler with tools to make an informed decision about winter travel in Northeast Oregon. The Wallowa Mountains contain outstanding opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. Currently no official avalanche advisory, forecast, or prediction covers the Wallowa Mountains. Nothing on this site should be construed as a forecast, advisory or prediction. Wallowa Avalanche Center provides resources for individuals to make their own decisions. Our goals for the future include a local advisory and we appreciate your support toward this goal.

 

Wallowa Avalanche Center

Conditions Summary for October 12, 2009

Disclaimer: Wallowa Avalanche Center assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information contained in this summary. Information provided does not constitute or imply any type of forecast, advisory, or recommendation. Users are warned to use this information at their own risk.

Current Regional Weather Synopsis:

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
902 PM PDT MON OCT 12 2009

.SHORT TERM...UPDATE...A BROAD AREA OF MID AND HIGH LEVEL CLOUDINESS
ASSOCIATED WITH WARM AIR ADVECTION ALOFT CONTINUE TO MOVE OVER THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST THIS EVENING. THESE CLOUDS WILL KEEP TEMPS FROM
COOLING AS WELL AS HAS BEEN THE CASE THE PAST COUPLE OF NIGHTS
DESPITE THE DRYNESS OF THE SURFACE AIR MASS. GENERALLY CURRENT
TRENDS INDICATE THAT THE CURRENT OVERNIGHT TEMP FORECASTS ARE ON
TRACK. WILL NUDGE MIN TEMPS UP A COUPLE OF DEGREES AT A FEW
LOCATIONS ABOVE 2500 FEET IN CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST OREGON DUE THE
START OF SOUTH FLOW. THE TIMING OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEXT SYSTEM
CONTINUES TO SLOW SLIGHTLY. THUS WILL NUDGE POPS BACK A BIT FOR THE
MIDNIGHT THROUGH NOON TIME FRAME...ESPECIALLY OVER OUR EASTERN
ZONES. 90
 

 

Current Wallowa Mountains Summary:

The past couple of days have been dry with high clouds. Mountain temperatures were generally in the mid 40’s during the day and mid 20’s at night. In the valleys, low temperatures dipped into the mid teens. No new snow fell in the last week.

Snowpack Conditions:

On October 4th a powerful early season storm dumped on the Wallowa Mountains. Mt Howard Snotel reported 21 inches and Aneroid Lake reported 16 inches of new snow. The bulk of the snow fell on the south east side of the mountains with the bulk near Joseph. Snow totals on the south and west Snotel stations was only a couple of inches.

The following aerial photos were all taken on October 10, 2009.

This picture was taken near the town of Lostine looking south toward Joseph, which is in the middle on the far left.

Fergi Ski area. The smoke is blowing approximately Southeast in direction.

Salt Creek Summit snow park is visible on lower, center. Much of Wing Ridge is visible on the upper left.

 

Fish Lake sits just below the 7000 foot line and is in the heart of snowmobile country accessed from Clear Creek Snow park. Snow amounts are less in this area than further to the north. main roads are receiving wheeled vehicle use.

Near Sparta Butte looking north. Coruncopia Peak is on the right. This region received a lot less snow.