Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could trigger a large avalanche where the wind has built thick drifts or hardened the snow surface, especially in steep, rocky terrain. Small loose avalanches could occur on slopes that face the sun once surface snow becomes mushy. Triggering avalanches is unlikely where the snow surface remains soft, dry, and powdery.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it?  You may be able to trigger 1-3 foot thick slabs in wind-loaded terrain near and above about 8500'. Some slabs overlie crusts and/or thin layers of weak, faceted snow and could break wider than expected. Triggering these large avalanches is most likely in "prime time" avalanche terrain: slopes approaching or exceeding about 40 degrees in steepness. 

    How can we recognize and manage this problem? Wind slabs are fairly easy to spot and avoid. Watch for smooth pillows below ridgelines and cornices as well as on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. In the craggy Sawtooth Mtns, slabs commonly form in cirques below large cliff faces and on the aprons of large chutes and couloirs. Dunes and ripples on the surface are clues the wind has been at work transporting snow. 

    Falling cornices can be great triggers for the wind slabs below them. Hard wind slabs sound hollow, like a drum, and behave unpredictably; they can break above you and wider than expected. You may or may not experience snowpack cracking or collapsing—clear signs of unstable conditions—before triggering a wind slab avalanche. 

Avalanche Discussion

Although surrounding zones are rated LOW danger, lingering effects from previous snow and wind have kept the avalanche hazard elevated in the Sawtooths and Western Smoky Mtns. During the week-long storm that began on New Year’s Day, this zone received nearly 4 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE), or roughly 4 feet of snow. Strong northwest winds redistributed snow across many mid- and upper-elevation slopes. While observed avalanche activity has been relatively low, recent slab avalanches have introduced enough uncertainty to delay dropping the danger rating to LOW. Triggerable wind slabs remain possible in alpine terrain.

Additionally, on steep, sun-exposed slopes, you could trigger small loose avalanches if the upper snowpack becomes wet and mushy during the heat of the day. While these avalanches are likely to be small, they could knock you off your feet or sled and be dangerous in consequential terrain. Clues that wet loose avalanches are priming during the heat of the day are roller-balls occurring below trees and rocks, or if the upper snowpack is becoming soggy. You can reduce the chances of triggering a wet loose avalanche by moving off of steep, rocky, sun-drenched slopes.

Use terrain to reduce the risk of being caught in an avalanche. Before you choose to enter steep terrain, ask yourself, “What would being caught in even a small avalanche look like on this slope?” If the slope is peppered with trees, rocks, cliffs, or has an abrupt flat spot below a steep slope, consider choosing more open, gradual terrain to reduce the consequences of even a small slide. 

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