Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche is possible, especially in the mountains near the town of Smiley Creek. You can avoid steep, rocky terrain where the wind has drifted or stiffened the snow surface to reduce your chances of finding trouble. Small, loose snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes that face the sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    You're mostly likely to trigger a dense, 2-5 foot thick slab avalanche on slopes facing the northern 2/3 of the compass, where the wind frequently blows, and the snowpack depth is variable. Some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

    • Cornices, wind-pillows, and textured surfaces indicate the wind has been at work.  
    • If you see rocks sticking out of the snow, expect variable snowpack depths. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs, near ridgelines, and along rocky, mid-slope ribs.

    Remotely triggering an avalanche from flat terrain near steep slopes remains a possibility. If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand. You can read the Forecast Discussion below for some tips on managing lingering Persistent Slab avalanche problems. 

    Additional discussion: You may encounter small, easy-to-trigger, wind slabs at upper elevations, particularly in alpine terrain. Be on the lookout for wind-loaded features near ridgelines and along the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Shooting cracks are a clear indication of wind-transported snow. On very steep, sun-exposed southerly slopes that are sheltered from the wind, small loose snow avalanches may occur and could release naturally. Pay attention to the terrain above you. 

    (12/31/2024)

    Large Persistent Slab avalanches like this one are possible at middle and upper-elevation terrain especially in wind-affect areas or areas harboring a shallower snowpack, 

Avalanche Discussion

You are most likely to trigger avalanches on shallow slopes near ridgelines or any terrain exposed to the wind, at middle and upper elevations on the north half of the compass. The following visual clues can help identify areas of concern:

  • A wind-drifted or stiffened snow surface—indicated by cornices, ripples, or dunes.
  • Slopes peppered with exposed rocks are a visual clue that thin spots may exist.
  • "Prime-time" avalanche terrain, steeper than about 35 degrees. Triggering a large avalanche is most likely where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees. 

Professionals across the forecast area have continued to express concern about venturing into larger terrain. Instead, they’ve opted for a more cautious, "tip-toe" approach—choosing slopes with uniform, planar entrances and short sections of lower-angle avalanche terrain (low 30 degree slopes). We can all follow suit by selecting similar terrain and avoiding huge avalanche paths and those with mid-slope rock bands or terrain traps (trees, creeks, and gullies at the bottom).

You are most likely to trigger avalanches in the southeastern corner of this zone (Salmon River Headwaters, Frenchman Creek, and the mountains near the mouths of Smiley and Beaver Creeks) where significantly more avalanche activity was reported, and the snowpack is a little thinner compared to the western Smokys and Sawtooths.

Regions covered