Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You're most likely to trigger a large avalanche as you climb into areas that are affected by the wind. While less likely, you could trigger an avalanche on slopes that are not obviously wind-loaded. Slides can be triggered from a large distance above, below, or to the side of the slope where the avalanche releases.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2

    You're very likely to trigger 1-3' thick slab avalanches at middle and upper elevations. The size and likelihood of avalanches will increase as you climb into areas more exposed to the wind. 

    Obvious large cornices, dunes, or blowing snow this afternoon will clue you in to where conditions are at their worst, but unfortunately, avoiding this problem is not so simple. Yesterday, recent natural avalanches and many snowplow-triggered avalanches were reported near Galena Summit. Similar slides were observed in the Headwaters of the Salmon (photo at right/below). These avalanches released in subtly wind-affected areas or those that were mostly sheltered from the wind. 

    Recent storm snow is perched precariously atop well-developed weak layers, including facets, facet + crust combinations, and surface hoar. All steep slopes are suspect. Cracks shooting out from your skis or boards clearly indicate instability. Avalanches can be triggered remotely and break wider than expected. 

    These smaller Persistent Slab avalanches could "step down", triggering the much larger Persistent Slab avalanches described below. 

    (1/10/2024) These persistent slab avalanches released in obviously wind-loaded and mostly sheltered terrain. Headwaters of the Salmon River, N/NE facing slopes. Photo: Carl Rixon

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    In addition to the Persistent Slab problem described above, it's possible to trigger a huge, destructive avalanche that fails on weak snow near the ground. These are most likely on upper elevation slopes and most middle elevation slopes facing W-N-E. 

    Smaller slab avalanches involving recent storm snow are the ideal trigger, and may step-down to release a slide involving the majority of the snowpack. The only way to rule out the possibility of these devastating slides is to avoid the terrain where this problem exists. 

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