Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Natural and Human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Generally, safe avalanche conditions exist. Continue good, safe travel protocols and expose only one person at a time to slopes steeper than 30 degrees...Temperatures will warm today to increase the low likelihood of small, wet loose avalanches in very steep isolated Southern Rocky terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wet loose avalanches are less likely today as temperatures broke records in McCall yesterday and have now dropped below freezing. The Sun will be out and putting on its heat on the snow surface as the temps climb today. If the heat starts a wet loose avalanche today it will most likely be very small and harmless to humans(D1).

    Even though the likelihood and the size of this problem are very small, incorporating margins of error into your travel protocol like traveling on slopes steeper than 30 degrees 1 at a time, and keeping eyes on your partners from safe spots out of runouts are really good things to always practice regardless of the avalanche danger rating.

     

    (1/14/2022)

    Temps on Granite Mtn weatherstation 

    Photo: GH

Avalanche Discussion

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A low avalanche hazard rating does not mean that there is not any avalanche hazard at all. Watch for unstable snow near cornices and ridgelines...Triggering a wind slab avalanche in middle and upper elevation terrain is unlikely, though not completely impossible. Small slides can send you off course enough that you now have a problem if you are in extreme or exposed terrain.

Large cornices have built on ridgetops in upper elevation terrain and pose a serious hazard to backcountry travelers if they get too close to the edge. Wind-scoured snow on several different aspects can make skiing and riding conditions difficult and potentially dangerous on steep slopes. Keep an eye on steep, south-facing slopes as solar radiation increases, and beware of the terrain above you.

The Sun has formed a crust on the surface of many slopes that are tipped to the Sun that got warmer yesterday, and more will form today... This might make riding or sliding good or bad, depending on what you are looking for?

Consider the consequences before exposing yourself. Expose one person at a time on steeper slopes. Use safe travel protocols while traveling in the mountains.

 

*** Check out our Observations Page to see what others are seeing...We are always looking for more Information from snowmobilers and skiers on snow and weather conditions. These observations help our forecasts and they help other users in and outside of the community.

It can be quick with or without a photo…Use the Observations link at the top of the page to submit your observations. If you experience any unfortunate technical issues please email us at [email protected]…Thanks ahead of time.