Lawinenlagebericht

Lawinenlagebericht

Payette Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

Over 48 hours above freezing at upper elevations created a soft and wet upper snowpack 1-2 feet down from the surface. Cooler temperatures this morning will likely begin to re-freeze snow surfaces and form surface crusts. Snow beneath crusts will remain wet and spongy.  Wet loose avalanches will remain possible on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, below 7000', or any place where the surface is not frozen. Pay attention to the snow surface and how supportive it is, this will determine how likely wet loose avalanches are.

Today is the last avalanche forecast for the season

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    Upper elevation temperatures were above freezing for just over 48 hours. Temperatures have begun to cool this morning and dropped below freezing at some sites above 6500'. A light surface crust may cap the upper snowpack above 7000'. The upper 1-2 feet will likely remain wet for several days. Cooler temperatures should slow melt water percolation and reduce the chance of wet loose avalanches where the surface crust becomes thick and frozen. Yesterday, the recent wet loose avalanches we observed were small (less than D1.5). Wet loose avalanches are most likely below 7000-7500', where the upper snowpack is still saturated and has yet to freeze. Dig down with your hand or pole to see how supportive the crust is. Look to see how wet and mushy the snow is beneath the surface crust. If you're sinking into wet, manky snow it's time to switch to a different aspect or call it a day. Avoid spending time in terrain traps like valley bottoms and underneath long-running gullies, especially at lower elevations.

    Additional Discussion

    Cornices are very large and unstable from the recent warm spell. These beasts are likely to continue peeling off even with a slight cool down. They are notorious for failing much farther back than anticipated. Give them plenty of space right now.

    (4/11/2025)

    Wet loose slides from previous two days on steep, E/NE-facing slopes. Glide cracks opening up

    Photo: Kevin Studley

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday through Friday brought an abrupt warming trend where daytime high temperatures reached 50-60F from the mountains to the valleys. The faucet turned on as melt water once again began to saturate the upper several feet of the snowpack. Areas that are most saturated are solar aspects and terrain below 7000'. Cooling temperatures this weekend will help slow melt water percolation through the snowpack and will slightly reduce the threat of wet avalanche activity. Today, will be a day of transition in the mountains as wet snow grains begin to re-freeze with their neighbors again. Wet snow and surface crusts could pose other non-avalanche, travel hazards today (i.e. sliding on crusts). If you travel in the mountains today, make sure to observe how supportive recent crusts are. Are they frozen, or are they still wet and soft? Are you punching through to wet snow underneath? If so, avoid being on or underneath steep slopes where wet loose avalanches are possible. Be sure to give large, over-hanging cornices plenty of space this time of year.

Today is the last avalanche forecast for the 2024-25 season. The PAC would like to thank all of our supporters for contributing to a great season. We couldn't do the work we do without the generous support of the FPAC. A big shoutout to our sponsors: McCall Sports, Gravity Sports, Double R Trailers, Edmark Toyota, Tamarack Resort, and Brundage Mountain Resort. We want to say thanks to Carl's Cycles for providing the PAC with a Polaris 650 for the season. A safe winter season wouldn't be possible without the unwavering  support from our local winter community here in the West Central mountains, including all those fantastic observations we received this season. Have a safe spring in the mountains.

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