Avalanche forecast

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could trigger a small wind slab avalanche in upper elevation terrain—identify and avoid slopes with evidence of wind drifting. As the day warms up, loose snow avalanches could occur on steep slopes facing the sun. Continue to evaluate the snowpack you move in—particularly if those slopes have not been traveled for most of the season and lack information—& practice safe travel habits.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    You'll likely find small—but potentially sensitive—wind slabs at upper elevations. Moderate winds have shifted direction over the past several days, spanning multiple aspects. The wind can weave in and out of rocky features and craft unexpected slabs across complex mountain terrain; expect cross-loaded features and to encounter winded snow on a variety of aspects in the upper elevations.  Sunny and mild conditions expected today may increase the likelihood of triggering a wind slab as the day warms. Most of these avalanches will be small—but could knock you off your feet in exposed terrain. Watch for active loading/cross-loading in unusual places, given the atypical wind direction over the last several days. Avoid very steep slopes with signs of wind loading or visual signs of recent wind transport.

     

    (12/27/2025)

    Small wind slab crown below a ridge around 8,000 feet. 

    Photo: Payette Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Sunny conditions and mild temperatures will destabilize the snow surface as the day warms, making loose snow avalanches possible on steep slopes facing SE-S-SW. Humans may trigger these avalanches, or they can release naturally near exposed rocks/cliff bands. They begin at a point and fan out to collect debris as they move downslope. They are commonly small but can really pack a punch in the wrong terrain or push a rider into consequential areas. Watch for obvious signs that the warm sun is wetting the surface of the snow. Thinly covered rocks and cliffs are the first areas to shed. Small roller balls or pinwheels of moist snow can be an early warning that loose snow slides may follow. You can largely avoid this problem by sticking to colder, shaded aspects or lower-angle terrain, and by knowing what's above you.

    (12/30/2025)

    Steep, lower elevation, solar aspects were shedding wet loose snow 

    Photo: Payette Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

This past weekend's storm brought some welcome new snow to the Payette and Boise, accompanied by light to moderate northerly winds. Winds have since shifted south-southeasterly, but this hasn't been enough to change the avalanche danger appreciably. However, there is a list of problems that you could encounter today, particularly with warm temperatures and direct sunshine in the alpine, and especially if your backcountry adventures take you to steep, consequential terrain:

  • Old wind slabs. The combination of new snow and north winds has formed small but visible fresh drifts in both zones at upper elevations. While relatively small and isolated, they could be enough to knock you off your feet or machine. Fresh wind slabs will be most common in upper-elevation terrain. They'll be relatively easy to identify by signs of surface wind texture or snow that feels thicker or denser, and they may become more reactive if the sun makes an appearance. Per usual, steer clear of being below or too close to the edge of any cornice. 
  • Loose snow avalanches. The new snow fell on various crusts, extending to every aspect at low elevations and present on sunny slopes at middle and upper elevations. Today's forecasted temps should remain cooler, but sunshine could cause the new snow to come unglued from crusts, forming sluffs. These could occur naturally as the day warms up—pay attention to the terrain around you.

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