Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Expect to find wind drifts near ridgelines in alpine and upper elevation terrain. The drifts will be largest and most widespread in the White Cloud Mtns where more snow has fallen in recent days. If prolonged periods of sunshine occur today, natural and human-triggered loose snow avalanches (sluffs) will become possible on very steep slopes.

If you are traveling in the Pioneer Mountains, refer to the forecast for the Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Gusty, erratic winds easily transported the recent snowfall, forming a variety of wind slabs in exposed terrain. Wednesday, observers touring near Galena Peak reported thin wind slabs had formed in exposed upper elevation terrain. The day prior, Ben found the light snowfall and moderate winds built thin, fresh wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain.  In the Sawtooths and Banner Summit area, we've triggered and observed thin wind slab avalanches in exposed terrain earlier this week.

    No matter the size of the slide, managing travel in wind-loaded terrain is straightforward; avoid slopes where you see or feel obviously wind-affected snow to reduce the chances of triggering avalanches. Look for signs of wind drifted snow such as pillows and dune-like drifts. A rippled surface texture is another good sign that the wind has been at work. If the snow depth rapidly increases, or you move from soft, powdery snow into thicker, denser snow, you are probably pushing into a wind drift. Cracks shooting out from your skis or board are a clear indication that you've found a sensitive drift. 

    If you are traveling in the Pioneer Mountains, refer to the forecast for the Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns to read about the persistent slab problem you may encounter.

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONThe forecast today is calling for unseasonably cool temperatures and increasing cloud cover, decreasing the risk of wet snow avalanches. However, the recent unsettled spring weather has been tough to predict. If the sun pokes out today for a prolonged period of time, both natural and human-triggered wet snow avalanches will become possible on steep slopes that are getting direct sunshine. Keep a close eye on the cloud cover, and evaluate overhead terrain if conditions warm up more than expected.

Avalanche Discussion

When spring weather serves up warm, sunny days and clear, cold nights, we enter a predictable "diurnal" pattern of avalanche danger. Conditions are safe at the start of the day when the snowpack is frozen, and the possibility of triggering a wet slide increases as the day warms up. But the unsettled and snowy spring weather we've been experiencing—while nice for catching up on powder skiing/riding we missed in February—has lead to a less clear-cut pattern of avalanche conditions. Many of us expect a more stable snowpack in the spring, and while you're less likely to trigger a large avalanche now compared to mid-winter, there are more ways that you could trigger something. That something may come in the form of:

  • Triggering a larger persistent slab avalanche remains possible in the SE corner of the forecast area, where recent snowfall fell on a thin snowpack weakened by the February drought.
  • Wind slabs become an issue with each spring storm, and may form unexpectedly with localized spring squalls.
  • The likelihood of wet snow avalanches and sluffs is directly tied to the cloud cover, which is notoriously unpredictable during this unsettled spring weather. Even when the forecast calls for cloudy skies, be ready to adjust your plans if the sun comes out. New snow can slide nearly instantaneously the first time it gets hit with spring sunshine.
  • This last storm laid down a blanket of unusually light, dry snow in our northern mountains. Loose snow sluffs, while generally a "manageable" problem, can catch you by surprise in steeper terrain.

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