Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Watch for and avoid fresh wind drifts and slabs. You will find more, and larger, drifts and slabs as you climb from middle to upper elevations. Where rain is falling, steer clear of steep slopes if you are sinking into a wet, mushy snowpack.

We will issue our last daily Avalanche Forecast of the season this Sunday, April 5th. We will issue General Avalanche Information updates through late April or early May.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    What and where is it? With the rain-snow line expected to rise near or above 7500' today, wet avalanches are still on the playlist. These are most likely on very steep slopes where significant rain falls. Although slow-moving, these avalanches are surprisingly powerful and difficult to escape. 

    How do we recognize and manage it? If you are sinking into a wet, unsupportable snowpack, seek out gentler terrain and/or climb above the rainline where you will find a more supportable, less soggy snowpack. Don't spend more time than needed below large avalanche paths where steady rain is falling; rain-driven wet avalanches can release naturally. 

    Large Wet Loose avalanche in the northern Sawtooths near Williams Peak. NE 9000'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it? You could find wind slabs up to 2 feet thick in exposed terrain. Wind slabs are largest and most widespread at upper elevations. Watch for slabs beneath ridgelines, on the sides of cross-loaded gullies, and lower in cirques below large cliff bands, chutes, and couloirs.

    How do we recognize and manage it? The wind slabs will feel stiffer, and you may see cracks shooting out from your skis or boards. Recent cornice growth, pillows, and dunes are all clues that wind was at work moving snow. Some fresh slabs could be easy to trigger and break wider than expected where they overlie hard ice crusts or wind-hammered surfaces.

    Additional Discussion - other dry snow avalanche problems: Read the Forecast Discussion below for details. 

Avalanche Discussion

Spring weather and avalanche conditions can be messy and somewhat complicated. On days like today, the mountains offer a smorgasbord of potential avalanche problems. What to expect as you climb above the valley floors:

  • Lower elevations: Rain will increase the threat of wet avalanches. Loose wet slides could involve just the snowfall from the past 24 hours,  but wet avalanches can also gouge down into deeper layers in the snowpack. Both natural and human triggered wet slides are possible. We don't expect snow to fall today below about 7500', so wind and storm slabs are not a concern. 
  • Middle elevations: You could see rain-driven wet avalanche issues in the lower part of this elevation band. As you climb above the rain but remain out of the wind, small storm slab avalanches are possible in very steep terrain where more than about 6" of snow has fallen.  Near the middle-upper elevation transition, keep your eyes peeled for drifts and wind slabs. 
  • Upper elevations: More snow + more wind means wind slabs are the primary problem. Today's expected convective activity could produce graupel and other snow crystal types that form sensitive mid-storm interfaces. These interfaces make great failure layers for even thin wind slabs that quickly form above them. On very steep slopes sheltered from the wind, the new snow lies above hard ice or wind-hammered surfaces on most slopes; loose snow avalanches (sluffs) could release naturally and be easy to trigger. While not large, these slides can travel fast and run farther than you might expect. 

Expect conditions to change both spatially (as you move up or down in elevation and change aspects) and over time (stability could quickly worsen during bouts of moderate to heavy precipitation or strong wind). Be ready to pull the plug and switch to a more conservative plan B if you see obvious signs of instability or feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.  

Regions covered