Boletín de aludes

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
Ver en el mapa

Peligro de aludes

Thu
Alta montaña
4 · Fuerte
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
3 · Notable
Open full map
Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 6 months ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist—be careful. You're likely to trigger small to large avalanches of new snow on many wind-affected slopes above 7,000 feet. Some steep slopes may or may not show any obvious signs of instability, such as cracking or collapsing, before releasing. To reduce your risk, stick to lower-angled terrain that is not directly connected to or below steep, wind-exposed slopes. If the sun manages to make an appearance, naturally occurring loose snow avalanches are likely on slopes that face the sun. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    1–2

    You may encounter fresh wind slabs 1-2+ feet thick in exposed terrain at middle and upper elevations. Slabs will be thicker and more widespread in alpine terrain. Wind slabs that you encounter may be perched above a slippery crust, making avalanches easier to trigger or wider than you'd expect. Relatively small wind slabs moving downhill could trigger the larger avalanches. 

    Look for wind slabs near ridgelines and on the sides of mid-slope terrain features like gullies and ribs. Surface textures like dunes, ripples, or pillows are clues that the wind has been at work. Cracks shooting out from your skis or machine are clear indicators that you've found an unstable slab. 

    WET SNOW AVALANCHES: Wet snow slides are possible on steep slopes that receive direct sunshine today. The sun popping out can also increase the odds of new snow slab avalanches failing on slippery rain/rime crusts formed near the beginning of the storm. The scope of these slides may range anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Subsections of each zone (like Big Creek, which received 1.3 inches of water but only ~4 inches of new snow & has remained well above freezing) may also remain prone to wet snow problems. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    1.5–2.5

    While becoming less likely, the possibility of triggering a 2-4' thick avalanche breaking on old snow deeper in the snowpack remains on the table. These hard slabs also rest on weak combinations of crusts and surface hoar. The most recent triggered avalanche involving this snow occurred five days ago, when riders triggered a slope that propagated deeply above them. Triggering an avalanche involving deeper layers is less likely than the "thinner" fresh slabs listed above, but the consequences are far greater. 

Avalanche Discussion

I'm currently batting zero-for-three regarding avalanche conditions that align with what weather models predict for our larger storms this season. Once again, today's avalanche conditions will be closely tied to the weather forecast of wind and sun, and where you will choose to recreate.

Portions of each zone right around 6,500' (currently the magical below-or-above-freezing line) that are exposed to the wind have remained cooler, with air temperatures dropping below freezing. Other portions have remained well above freezing since midnight.  Above 6,500', the wind has been at work crafting slabs. Westerly winds [shifting WNW] will continue to build these slabs in exposed terrain. Expect that these can be affected by a rider's weight today. The odds of triggering avalanches of new snow (either loose or slab) may increase with direct sunshine today and tomorrow. Much of the new snow below 7,000' sits on a slippery rain crust. If things clear earlier than expected and slopes start to see direct sun, expect the avalanche danger to rise. All in all, when the going gets complicated, the best approach is to simplify: avalanches of some variety are likely today, and they could be large. When conditions like this exist, the travel advice is simple: avoid steep wind-affected slopes at middle and upper-elevations,  practice cautious route-finding, and evaluate the snowpack. 

Note that Warm Lake Summit Road will remain closed for the next 12-24 hours. 

Regiones cubiertas