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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Colder temperatures and cooling winds will keep the snow surface locked up today and the avalanche hazard low. Wet, loose avalanche activity will take a break as a cold front makes its way across the West Central Mountains.  Light accumulations of snow are possible later in the day with gusty wind.  Shallow wind slabs will likely begin forming and will be resting on slick crusts below. If precipitation exceeds forecasted totals, sluffing and shallow storm slabs will also become a concern as the new snow accumulates.  With the widespread distribution of slick crusts right now, any amount of new snow will have a hard time sticking to steeper slopes. Change your mindset to match conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While storm totals look pretty minimal through the day today, any new snow that we receive is going to be falling on the melt-freeze crust that was yesterday's corn. Expect to find some dust on crust conditions and possibly some slide for life conditions if you venture onto steeper terrain.  Shallow dry, loose avalanches(sluffs) will become more likely as the snow accumulates through the day.  Conditions probably won't inspire you to venture into steep terrain, but if you do keep in mind the poor bonding between the firm crust and the new snow resting above it.

    NWS weather graph for 4/8/21 Lower temps and cooling winds will keep the snow surface on lockdown today.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Winds will be ramping up today and will have some fresh snow to transport.  Pay attention to the surface of the snow and where the new snow is getting blown.  Look for obvious clues of where wind-driven snow is being deposited and wind slabs are forming.

    Yesterday's melt-freeze surface is today's slick crust.

Avalanche Discussion

Spring in the mountains is a fickle beast.  Yesterday was another glorious, sun-filled day of perfect corn skiing conditions, today is forecasted to be a return to wintry conditions.  We found a 6 inch thick, very firm crust yesterday that was resting on another 1-2 feet of very wet snow below.  By 10 am, lower elevation solar aspects were already corn.  Upper elevation slopes were warming quickly by noon and lower elevations were getting downright sloppy by 1pm.  Based on the 15+ degree change in the daytime highs today, you can expect the crust to remain firm and slick through the day today.  Sledders probably won't find much to interest them today and skiers might be able to find some good low-angle turns once the new snow accumulates.   Avalanche hazard will remain low throughout the day except on steep, leeward slopes where wind-blown snow will begin to pile up. Overall, today might be a good day to stay home and catch up on projects and wait for a return to spring-like conditions and sun softened snow.