Lawinenlagebericht

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
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Kernpunkte

You're most likely to trigger a large avalanche on steep slopes facing the northern two-thirds of the compass. You may be able to trigger avalanches remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes. Smaller avalanches involving today's snowfall may be easy to trigger this afternoon. Conditions are the most dangerous in the southern half of this zone.

 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–2.5

    Slabs formed in early February rest above a variety of ugly, widespread, weak layers (facets, surface hoars, crusts, and combinations). You are most likely to trigger a 2-4 foot thick avalanche where:

    • The slope or terrain you're connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass
    • The slab is less than about 3' thick—relatively shallower spots may exist where the wind frequently blows, and the slab is not uniformly thick.

    Before triggering an avalanche, you may or may not experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking and collapsing or whumpfing. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways, break wider than expected, and release above or hundreds of feet away from where they are triggered. We can't assume tracks on a slope mean it is safe; several people could descend a slope before triggering an avalanche.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Today's storm will begin building fresh wind slabs that may be sensitive to your weight. These slabs will be thicker and more widespread at upper elevations and in the southern half of the zone, where stronger wind and more snow are expected. Look for freshly forming cornices, dunes, or snow drifts; these are clues that the wind has been moving snow. Cracks shooting from your skis or sled mean you've found a sensitive slab. 

Avalanche Discussion

Snowfall this afternoon will bring 3-8" to this zone by 5 PM. Snow amounts and avalanche danger will continue to increase into tomorrow. Countless avalanches released naturally in the southern part of this zone (the western Smoky Mtns and southern Sawtooths) during the big early February storms. Fewer avalanches released in the northern Sawtooths near Stanley. Avalanche conditions appear to be diverging in this zone. 

In and near the southern part of the zone: Sunday, skiers remotely triggered avalanches near Galena Summit (first-hand report, SAC site visit) and in Lake Creek (first-hand report, SAC site visit) while skiing low-angle terrain next to steeper slopes. We also received a report of a recent large avalanche in the Mt. Baldy backcountry that appeared to be remotely triggered by skiers. We continue to receive reports of booming collapses from around the forecast area.  This clear evidence shows the snowpack needs more time to adjust to the big load from the recent storms. 

In the northern Sawtooths: In recent days, professional and public observers reported fewer obvious signs of instability. However, a ski guide reported a snowpack collapse that "was definitely [one of the] top 3 loudest collapses I have ever heard." Similar to conditions in the Banner Summit zone, you probably would not see obvious signs of instability (cracking, collapsing, recent avalanches) before triggering a large avalanche.

Consider the consequences of a meaty slab avalanche breaking hundreds of feet wide before committing to playing on or below any steep slopes with trees, creeks, lakes, or gullies where the debris would pile up.  

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