Lawinenlagebericht

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Strong southern winds have built wind slabs 12-18 inches thick above 7,500 feet on north and east-facing terrain. Below 7,500 feet, rain and warm temperatures have created unstable snow in the upper snowpack. Watch for small, wet loose avalanche activity at middle and lower elevations.   

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs 12-18 inches thick may be lurking on steep slopes above 7,500 feet. Despite the warm temperatures, there is still snow available for transport above 7,500 feet. YESTERDAY, we observed recent wind slab avalanche activity. Southern winds were continuing to load north and east-facing slopes at upper elevations. Wind slabs were failing at the new/old interface from 12/21. Several inches of new snow and strong southern winds at upper elevations, will keep slopes primed for wind slab activity. 

    Pay attention to red flags like active wind-loading, shooting cracks from your skis, board, or sled, recent avalanche activity, or collapsing or whumpfing. If you're finding signs of instability, back off steep slopes in the upper elevations.

    (12/23/2025)

    North Bruin with plumes of snow from SW winds transporting recent storm snow

    Photo: Kevin Studley

  • Loose Wet

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

    Expect to find small, wet loose slides on steep terrain below 7,500 feet. The snowpack below 7,500 feet has been experiencing rain and near record temperatures since yesterday morning. YESTERDAY, we observed a saturated snowpack at lower elevations that was losing cohesion. Wet surface snow was able to entrain 6-12 inches of wet snow in the upper snowpack on steep slopes. Today, we are forecasted to receive more rain up to ~7,500 feet. 

    Watch for signs the upper snow is becoming wet and unstable such as pinwheels and rollerballs. More rain on snow will increase the likelihood of wet loose activity today. Below 6,500 feet, there is not enough snow to create an avalanche larger than size D1.

    (12/23/2025)

    Wet loose activity at lower elevations. Recent storm snow becoming moist and losing cohesion

    Photo: Kevin Studley

Avalanche Discussion

Twas the day before Christmas and all throughout Idaho,

all snow-loving creatures desperately hoped for snow.

Their long johns were hung by the wood stove with care,

the only thing we needed was arctic cold air.

Up to the tops of the mountains you must go,

where you'll find wind slabs from southern winds that blow.

At lower elevations safe from thick drifts,

bring your goretex because this year rain is our gift.

Watchout for small, wet loose slides,

at this point, we'd give anything to Mother Nature for bribes. 

The children of Hawaii were nestled in their beds,

little did they know, all this warm air they keep sending, is messing with our heads.

Stay alert to changing snow at different elevation,

if you're getting out in the mountains, be sure to submit an observation.

 

Remember that an avalanche hazard rating is not simply a color on a scale. It is the likelihood of an avalanche impacting something of value — for our purposes, that thing is you. The best way to manage this uncertainty is to build wide safety margins into your travel decisions. A margin is essentially a buffer zone between you and a large amount of uncertainty that exists when traveling in any backcountry environment. The great thing about using margin is that we can adjust ours as conditions change to allow for greater room for error. With more snowfall and increasing winds today, our margins are shrinking. We can offset this narrowing of our buffer zone by choosing terrain that is sheltered from current (and previous) wind loading and by dialing back slope angles.

Submit an online observation HERE.

  • Tag us #payetteavy
  • Download the Avy App HERE

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