Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The Avalanche Hazard in the West Central Mountains is Low today.  Steep slopes facing the sun will be the exception though and may see a higher chance of natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanche activity as temperatures rise.   Barely freezing temperatures overnight combined with another round of warm temperatures and sunshine will increase the hazard on slopes facing the sun as the snowpack warms throughout the day.   If you are seeing rollerballs, point releases, or your skis, board, or sled is sinking into the snow more than a few inches, it's time to choose a cooler, lower-angle aspect.  No matter how good you feel right now, remember that low hazard does not mean that there is no hazard. Keep practicing safe travel protocols while enjoying the great spring conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Temperatures were barely below freezing last night across the PAC forecast area.  Expect softening conditions much earlier today than over the last few days.  As the snow softens, the possibility of both natural and human-triggered wet, loose avalanches will rise.  So far this week, the natural activity has been confined to the upper 6 inches of the snowpack but will likely be deeper today, especially on steep slopes that are getting direct sun through the day. 

    Warming will start out this morning on the East and SE facing slopes, wrapping around to the South and finally to West facing slopes later in the day and will be amplified in rocky areas.   If you are out harvesting corn or looking for some spring slush riding conditions, pay attention to increasing roller ball and point release activity.  Once the snow turns to mush and you start sinking in deeper than just a few inches, you will want to find low angle or cooler slopes. Cornices are also under a lot of strain right now and may release naturally as they heat up.  Big cornice failures can entrain a lot of snow or trigger avalanches below them. 

    Generally speaking, wet loose avalanches tend to be relatively small and manageable, but as temperatures increase and the snow warms deeper into the snowpack, wet slabs and larger wet, loose avalanches become more likely. These types of avalanches also tend to be more unpredictable than dry snow avalanches as they can fail on their own as the snowpack loosens or water percolates down to old crusts or weak layers.

     

     

     

    Wet Slab release on Slick Rock, crowns are visible a the top and scrubbed all the snow of the steep area below. Photo courtesy of Brian Peters.

Avalanche Discussion

Skiers and sledders are eating up some terrain that no one felt good about until recently. No matter how good you feel right now, remember that Low hazard does not mean that there is no hazard. Time of day, aspect, and terrain selection are all going things to think about as you travel in and around avalanche terrain.    If you see or trigger avalanche activity, please take the time to snap a picture and note the approximate elevation and aspect, you can submit an observation on our website. Getting your info helps forecasters and other users get a better picture of the conditions throughout our mountains. If you have trouble using our observations page, please email us at: [email protected]   Please be mindful of other users in the mountains, and where you are at. There are closures for motorized travel in and around the local ski areas, in the Lick Creek Canyon,  Granite Mtn, Jug Mountain, and other areas throughout our region.  Check out the Winter Travel Map to find out where you can shred on your sled or moto.  Not all of these areas are signed, it is your responsibility to know where these closures exist.