Lawinenlagebericht

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Dangerous conditions exist. Human-triggered avalanches are likely where the wind formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. Triggering large avalanches is also possible in more sheltered areas. You may be able to trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    This week's storms built slabs above multiple layers of weak facets, surface hoar, and crust-facet combinations on many middle and upper elevation slopes. So far, natural and human-triggered avalanches are clustered on NW-N-NE-E facing slopes above about 8,000'.

    Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways. They can be much wider than expected and be triggered remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

    Avoiding steep wind-loaded slopes is the best way to avoid trouble today, but recognize that avalanches are also possible in steep wind-sheltered terrain. Snowpack cracking and collapsing are clear signs of unstable conditions.

    (2/19/2026) Very large avalanche on McDonald Peak in the southern Sawtooths. NE @ 9,500'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Whether a weak layer exists or not, the combination of recent snowfall and moderate to strong winds formed slabs that may remain sensitive to your weight. Look for wind-affected surfaces, dunes, or drifts.  Feel for stiff slabs overlying weaker or softer snow. These often form near exposed ridgelines. These smaller wind slabs, once moving, are an effective trigger for the larger Persistent Slab avalanches described above.

Avalanche Discussion

This zone has received ~15-30" of snow since Monday. The new snow buried weak layers on many aspects and continued to build a heftier slab above very weak facets that formed during the January-early February drought. 

Numerous natural avalanches occurred during the storms focused on NW-N-NE-E facing slopes, where loading rates were highest and weak layers were at their worst. Many avalanches failed just under the storm snow, and several wide avalanches broke down into the very weak facets that formed during the drought. Some wind slab avalanches and larger persistent slab avalanches were also observed on S and SE-facing slopes. 

Across the forecast area, skiers and riders have remotely triggered avalanches on each of the last 3 days. These all occurred on shadier N-NW-NE facing slopes failing on the more deeply buried, and very weak facets. Recent avalanches and continued reports of collapsing are clear indicators that the snowpack is still adjusting to the load. Today is not the day to try to thread the needle with micro-scale terrain decisions. You can reduce your risk by giving steeper slopes a wide berth—there's a lot of great skiing and riding to be found on lower angle terrain. 

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims and the survivors of recent avalanche accidents in California and Utah. Sadly, eleven people have died in three separate accidents. Preliminary information is available here.

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