Be mindful of avalanche conditions when recreating outdoors this time of year
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, December 29th, 2022 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
WALLOWA COUNTY – With continued rain showers and an increase in temperatures recently the Wallowa Avalanche Center reminds that this could test the snowpack in the mountains.
Those who plan to recreate the outdoors should avoid steep slopes and terrain underneath those slopes. And if it begins to rain and/or you see rollerballs or pinwheels, they say it’s time to exit the mountains.
Pinwheels and rollerballs of snow indicate the snow surface is getting wet and losing strength. They form when wind pushes snow across the ground, gathering it into a hollow cylinder.
Before you head out into the mountains check the Wallowa Avalanche Center’s website for avalanche advisories https://wallowaavalanchecenter.org/
