Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Natural and human-triggered wet avalanches will become more likely in wind-sheltered terrain as the day progresses. Large avalanches are unlikely. There's an outside chance you could trigger small pockets of wind-drifted snow on very steep slopes. 

Stability is worst in this zone where more snow fell earlier this week, in the Smoky Mtns near the Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns zone border. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The potential for small wet slides—both natural and human-triggered—will increase during the day. They will be most likely on very steep (approaching 40 degrees), wind-sheltered slopes this afternoon and evening. Given today's expected hot temperatures and last night's light freeze, both shady and sunny aspects could become problematic. Where are the likely trouble spots? Where you can check most or all of the following boxes:

    • Slopes that have at least a few inches of "newer" snow above the hard ice crust
    • Very steep (38-50 degrees)
    • Rocky, "cliffy" terrain that shelters the wind and warms more easily than open, exposed slopes
    • Shady middle elevation terrain that is sheltered from the wind

    Be on the lookout for rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet snow "snails" moving down steep slopes. If you see these signs of wet snow instability or feel uneasy about how hot it is where you're playing, it's time to stick to gentler slopes and pay attention to what's above you. Wet snow stability can change rapidly; the corn or firm spring riding conditions you experience this morning could quickly turn to mush this afternoon.  

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: You may find old, weathered wind slabs, especially in the Smoky and White Cloud Mtns where more snow fell earlier this week. Most of the drifts have bonded to the surfaces beneath them, but there's an outside chance you could trigger something large enough to knock you over or carry you where you don't want to go. If you're adventuring in very steep, consequential terrain, avoid large wind features to reduce the chances of triggering dry snow avalanches. 

    (4/6/2022) These wet loose avalanches occurred in the Sawtooth Mountains on Wednesday, 4/6/22. The slides pictured started on S/SE facing slopes around 9,500'. Many other similar slides were observed in the range.

Avalanche Discussion

AVALANCHE HUNTING

You'll have a much better chance of filling your "avalanche tag" today than tomorrow. I don't expect to see many, or any, trophies bagged, but hunters will have a chance out there today. Where are you most likely to find legal game (avalanches large enough to bury people):

  • Steep, open cirques below large cliff bands in the Sawtooth Mtns: These areas received a lot of spindrifted snow during the last storm. In recent days, we saw small, loose snow slides from above trigger large slab avalanches near Decker and Snowyside Peaks (observation and photos). Today's heat and sunshine could produce another round of small wet avalanches, increasing the possibility of triggering slabs or entraining significant amounts of snow when they hit the open slopes below tall rock faces. 
  • Large, complex, rocky alpine avalanche paths: These areas still have newer snow wedged into nooks and crannies in the rocks. Today's heat and sunshine will cleanse the rocks of snow and could produce large wet loose slides in the perfect terrain. Picture places like Mt Heyburn and the south face of Williams Peak.
  • The largest wind features: Most of the wind slabs formed earlier this week have bonded to the surfaces below. In shady alpine terrain, the largest wind slabs and "whales" could still be sensitive to the weight of a skier or snowmobile. 
  • Large, consequential avalanche paths in shady middle elevation terrain where more than about 6" of snow fell this week: In this terrain, the recent storm snow could turn into a gloppy mess this afternoon and evening. Larger wet loose avalanches are most likely in very steep areas sheltered from the wind, especially if we don't see much cloud cover later today.  

Regions covered