Lawinenlagebericht

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Dangerous conditions exist. Human-triggered avalanches are likely where the wind formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. Triggering large avalanches is also possible in more sheltered areas. You may be able to trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    This week's storms built slabs above multiple layers of weak facets, surface hoar, and crust-facet combinations on many middle and upper-elevation slopes. In the past week, there have been 9 reported human-triggered slides failing on these weak layers. These avalanches were all between 8500' and 9500' on NW-N-NE facing slopes with wind-affected surfaces. 

    Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways. They can be much wider than expected and be triggered remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

    Avoiding steep wind-loaded slopes is the best way to avoid trouble today, but recognize that avalanches are also possible in steep wind-sheltered terrain. Snowpack cracking and collapsing are clear signs of unstable conditions.

    (2/19/2026) Very large avalanche on McDonald Peak in the southern Sawtooths. NE @ 9,500'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2

    Yesterday, professional observers reported active windloading all day near the crest of the Smoky Mountains. Whether a weak layer exists or not, the combination of recent snowfall and moderate to strong winds formed slabs that may remain sensitive to your weight. Look for wind-affected surfaces, dunes, or drifts.  Feel for stiff slabs overlying weaker or softer snow. These often form near exposed ridgelines. These smaller wind slabs, once moving, are an effective trigger for the larger Persistent Slab avalanches described above.

Avalanche Discussion

I'll be honest, we're concerned about this weekend. Our current situation is ripe for accidents. A long drought during January and early February left powder seekers eager. During that period, weak layers developed throughout our area. A significant storm finally arrived earlier this week, enhancing the riding conditions but burying those weak layers. In response to the new snow and wind, we experienced an avalanche cycle. Now, a few days have passed, and the likelihood of avalanches has gradually decreased. Obvious signs of instability are becoming less reliable, which may give you a false sense of security while traveling through terrain. The first sign of instability could be an avalanche you trigger. 

We’re heading into a sunny weekend with temperatures slowly rising. As the weather warms, the dry surface snow may begin to turn into denser slabs, or we could even see loose snow avalanches occurring on steep sunny slopes. Either could be enough to trigger larger avalanches, failing on weak layers deeper in the snowpack. 

Many people, myself included, are keen to make deep trenches in the snow. Remember, this will not be the last weekend to ride powder. As we head out to enjoy the snow, we'll be managing our terrain selection by choosing lower-angle slopes without overhead hazards. 

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