Boletín de aludes

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

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

Lo esencial

Snow and wind are creating dangerous avalanche conditions. Avalanches may release on their own as wind-blown snow builds thick drifts at upper elevations. You're likely to trigger a large avalanche on many steep slopes, including those mostly sheltered from the wind. You may be able to trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

Problemas de aludes

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    2–2.5

    The weight of recent storm snow is pushing buried weak layers to their breaking point. Natural avalanches are possible today in areas where the wind builds thick drifts. Human-triggered avalanches are likely and may even occur in areas that are mostly sheltered from the wind. You're most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche on steep slopes that tilt away from the afternoon sun (NW-N-NE-E). It's these aspects that produced the most widespread natural and human-triggered avalanches over the last two weeks, and where our buried weak layers remain the most concerning. 

    Triggered avalanches may be 2-4' thick and 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.  

    Snowpack cracking and collapsing are clear signs of unstable conditions. The best way to avoid trouble is to give avalanche terrain a wide berth. This includes gentler terrain below steep slopes or under large avalanche paths. 

    (2/21/2026) A skier triggered and skied out of this avalanche. This large avalanche failed about 2' deep, presumably on weak facets that were buried on 2/8. NE facing at 8400'. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over a foot of snow and driving wind have built 1-3' thick drifts and slabs at upper elevations. Expect these drifts to be the largest and most sensitive on slopes facing NW-N-NE-E. 

    Look for them near or below ridgelines, along mid-slope ribs, and on aprons beneath chutes. Rapid cornice growth, dunes, or drifts are all signs that the wind has been at work. 

    Today's intense wind-loading may cause wind slabs to release naturally. Even if you're in an area that is sheltered from the wind, it's prudent to avoid the runout of large avalanche paths. These smaller wind slabs may trigger the larger persistent slab avalanches described above.

    (2/22/2026) Winds transporting snow in the Northern Sawtooth on Feb 22, 2026.

Avalanche Discussion

Last night's storm likely produced numerous large slab avalanches at upper elevations. While the brunt of the snowfall is over, moderate to strong W and WNW winds will continue to build slabs in exposed terrain. This rapid loading should be enough to cause additional natural avalanches today and keep the likelihood of human-triggering elevated. 

We're coming off an impressive stretch of human-triggered slides, and by all accounts, this storm has increased those chances. Today is a great day to approach the mountains with curiosity rather than an objective. Let's take a collective step back, choose lower-angle terrain, and be mindful of the slopes above you.

 

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