AVALANCHE WARNING- Southern and Northern Wallowas

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

Information from the Wallowa Avalanche Center

What: Very dangerous avalanche conditions developed last night for the Southern Wallowas. It will be very likely for a backcountry traveler to trigger a large and deadly avalanche today. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

When: In effect from Wed, Feb 5, 2025 – 6:00AM to Thu, Feb 6, 2025 – 5:59AM

Where: The winter recreation areas of the Southern and Northern Wallowas, especially Halfway and Joseph, OR, Cornucopia and Salt Creek Summit.

Impacts: Heavy snow overnight has rapidly overloaded an already unstable snowpack, causing likely widespread natural avalanches overnight and very likely human triggered ones through the day.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, including in runouts of large avalanche paths that may not be largely visible. Consult http://wallowaavalanchecenter.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.