Lawinenlagebericht

Lawinenlagebericht

Payette Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

The avalanche hazard is MODERATE today.  Human triggered slab avalanches up to 3 feet deep are possible.  You are most likely to trigger shallow avalanches near ridge tops where recently formed wind slabs exist.  Deeper avalanches are more likely in protected areas where older weak layers have been preserved.  Your likelihood of triggering these increases where the snowpack is thinner in rocky areas. 

In the south end of our advisory area near Tamarack Resort people are continuing to trigger fairly large avalanches that are propagating easily over large areas.  Your best bet is to stay out of steep terrain until the snowpack has more time to heal.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have been mostly light for the last 2 days but with frequent gusts into the 15+mph range,  just enough to keep the new snow moving around on exposed terrain.  Be cautious especially near ridgelines and on wind-exposed slopes.  Pay attention to obvious clues as to which way the wind has been blowing; ripples across the snow surface, wind lips, or drifts are great visual clues.  Local variations in terrain can influence wind loading on slopes that may not be on your radar.  Red flags like shooting cracks, or hollow feeling or sounding snow should turn you around in your tracks.  Shallow wind slabs may have the ability to step down into deeper layers below creating much larger avalanches with much higher consequences.

    R2 D2 Avalanche in Poison Bowl Just South of Tamarack Ski Area observed on Friday Jan 9th

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–3

    Our snowpack has multiple weak layers right now.  These layers are pretty obvious if you stick your pole or probe in the snowpack and feel the changes in resistance as you push down.  Triggering these weak layers is getting much more difficult, but if you do you may trigger a large unsurvivable avalanche.

    In the upper 2 feet,  crusts, small-grained facets, and degrading surface hoar are present depending on your aspect.  Deeper in the snowpack is a lingering layer of loose, larger grained faceted snow that refuses to go away.  While this weak layer is getting harder to trigger and slowly gaining strength, the skier triggered avalanches in the backcountry near Tamarack Ski Area this week demonstrate how touchy this layer still is in some areas.  With the overlying slab becoming more consolidated, denser, and continuing to get thicker, the consequences of triggering an avalanche in this layer are going up with every storm. 

    While the potential for natural avalanches has decreased since our last storm, the potential for skier and snowmobile triggered avalanches remains.  Choose your terrain wisely and keep an eye on your partners.  Don't ski out of bounds near the ski areas without the proper safety and rescue equipment. 

                           

     

    Buried Surface hoar is one of the weak layers buried in our snowpack and was partially responsible for a remote triggered snowmobile avalanche from 20 feet away from the crown on Lone Tree just South of Tamarack Ski Resort on Thursday

Avalanche Discussion

Thank you to everyone that has been sending in observations this year.  These help the forecast team form a clearer picture across the forecast area. We will be continuing to improve the observation form to make your submissions even easier over the next few weeks.

Also, resort and backcountry skiers leaving local ski areas need to be aware that areas outside of the ski area boundary are not patrolled, have no avalanche control work being done in them and if you are injured skiing or caught in an avalanche, the ski patrol has no obligation and may not have the resources to assist you.  Backcountry rescues are subject to the direction of the Sheriff's department and Search and Rescue Teams.  Rescue could be hours away, even close to the ski area.  Self-rescue is your best option and that means that everyone in your party should have the gear, understand the risk, and have the ability to provide an avalanche rescue and to perform basic life-saving medical skills.  The backcountry adjacent to resorts has some of the statistically highest concentrations of avalanche incidents and fatalities every winter no matter where you are.  Thanks to the Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center and our local resorts, you will now see beacon checkers at our backcountry gates.  This is a great reminder of the risks you face when you leave the ski area.

Our friends at the Sawtooth Avalanche Center will be hosting a FREE online Introduction to Avalanches Class on January 14, this is a great opportunity to get some basic knowledge or brush up on your avalanche basics if you have not taken a class in the last few years.