Lawinenlagebericht

Generally, stable conditions exist throughout our advisory area. Pay attention to warming temperatures throughout the day. The increasing angle of the sun combined with warm daytime temperatures will elevate the hazard of wet loose snow problems as the day progresses on slopes facing the sun.  Roller ball activity increasing as slopes heat up is a great clue that the snowpack is losing strength.  Wet loose activity is most likely on steep East, South, and West facing slopes that are warming through the day.  Rocky slopes or areas around rocky outcrops will accelerate the warming process. Your chances of encountering shallow winds slabs have become unlikely, though not impossible in upper elevation, leeward terrain features.  Use good travel protocols and pay attention to changing conditions as the day warms.

Today's advisory is sponsored by Brundage Mountain Resort.  Thank you for supporting the Payette Avalanche Center.

At least we are not the only area experiencing a brutally dry winter, the current high-pressure ridge is affecting the majority of the Western US.  December and early January saved us by putting down enough snow that we are not experiencing a shallow snowpack through what has become weeks of high pressure.  Fear not though, we have a glimmer of hope with a change coming up early next week and the predictions of major pattern changes in the next 2 weeks.

Our avalanche problems have followed the storms like an Ikon pass holder in a Sprinter this winter and diminished just as quickly.   Isolated wind slabs are unlikely but there remains a possibility of finding them in exposed, wind-affected terrain.  Looking ahead to the next few days, we will be dealing with very warm temperatures and lots of solar gain which will increase daily wet loose activity on steep, sunny slopes.

Our snowpack problems are confined to the upper foot or so and are as follows:

• Wet Loose, it's February, the sun is slowly creeping further up into the sky creating a higher sun angle. What does this mean?  Slopes that have harbored cold snow through December and January are warming up as the sun starts creeping further north each day.  Temperatures are remaining close to or above freezing through more of the day and the next few days will see more of the same further warming even shaded northerly slopes.  Watch for warming temperatures and solar radiation heating rocks, cliffs, trees, and other objects that may shed snow or create a wet snow hazard. 
• Wind Slab, shallow wind slabs were formed last week with the low-density snow we received. Even though encountering a wind slab problem has become unlikely, you should still be on the lookout for certain pockets in upper elevation, leeward terrain. The snow available for transport is decreasing on ridgetops due to previous winds and warming temperatures, however, winds have been gusting into the mid 20's and higher over the last week at the Granite Mountain weather station.   

*** Check out our Observations Page to see what others are seeing...We are always looking for more Information from snowmobilers and skiers on snow and weather conditions. These observations help our forecasts and they help other users in and outside of the community.

It can be quick with or without a photo…Use the Observations link at the top of the page to submit your observations. If you experience any unfortunate technical issues please email us at [email protected]…Thanks 

***Motorized users, please be aware that there are some areas of the Payette National Forest that are closed to motorized use, some of these closures are to protect wildlife and some are to protect other recreators.  Check out the Winter Travel Map below for details

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd891395.pdf