Lawinenlagebericht

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely. As the day progresses and the March sun works its magic, watch for small, wet loose avalanches on steep, south-facing slopes this afternoon. If you're observing wet, unstable snow conditions (like rollerballs or sinking into wet snow deeper than your ankles), switch to a different aspect or consider calling it a day. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Warm temperatures and sunshine will break down surface crusts on south-facing slopes, increasing the likelihood of small, wet-loose avalanches on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. The most unstable snow will likely be on steep, rocky, solar aspects facing S-SW-W. Wet loose avalanches begin at a single point and fan out, collecting debris as they move downslope. They are commonly small but can pack a punch in exposed terrain or push a rider into consequential areas, such as over cliffs, into rocks, or into lower-lying depressions or concavities. 

    CORNICES - Some of these monsters can break off naturally or by the weight of a person. As daytime heating increases, continue to give all cornices a wide margin, and be careful along ridgelines. Cornices can break much farther back than expected. Limit your exposure underneath or adjacent to them. A cornice fall could trigger a larger avalanche breaking deeper within the snowpack. 

    Photo of wet loose avalanches originating from steep, rocky terrain.

    Photo: Brian Peters

Avalanche Discussion

Although another Spring day is in store today, no two days are the same. Even though the weather forecasts appear identical, subtle changes can make a difference. If you're out in the mountains today, be curious about how the weather is impacting the snowpack. Cloud cover impacts the radiation balance, which drives change at the snow surface (i.e., crust or no crust, facets or no facets). Winds -even from a southerly direction- can create wind chill values cool enough to create change at the snow surface, even when the ambient air temperature is well above freezing. Temperatures will be cold this morning, particularly at lower elevations. As the day progresses, frozen snow surfaces will begin to soften on slopes catching direct sunshine. As surface snow becomes unstable, pay attention to how wet the upper snowpack is becoming. Travel below 6,500 feet is becoming increasingly difficult thanks to a winter plagued with above-average temperatures and below-average snowfall. Over the last two weeks, we've lost 1-2 feet of snow. Creeks and open water are becoming a concern, along with the amount of exposed bare ground at lower elevations. 

SLIDING FALLS - Hard, frozen snow surfaces allow for fast travel on foot. These same surfaces can create dangerous conditions in steep terrain without the proper equipment. Crampons and ice axes are a must if you are venturing into steep terrain early in the day, when the surface is frozen. Knowing how to self-arrest will prevent long, sliding falls in consequential terrain. 

If you're out in the mountains, submit an observation on our website or through the Avy App. Tag us #payetteavy

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