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

You may be able to trigger large avalanches on shadier slopes that face away from the afternoon sun. As you climb into windier areas, be on the lookout for smaller, freshly formed drifts and slabs at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    You could trigger a 2-3 ft thick persistent slab avalanche on buried weak layers (sugary facets, surface hoar, and crust + facet combinations). This problem is worst on middle and upper elevation slopes facing NW-N-NE-E. 

    While the odds are low, the consequences of triggering one of these dense, thick slabs are severe. Don't expect obvious signs of instability. In low probability/high consequence situations like this, there's a good chance the first sign of instability you'll see is the avalanche you trigger. Tracks on a slope don't mean it's safe. Avalanches can be triggered by the second, third, or fourth rider on a slope. 

    Persistent slabs can fail unpredictably and break wider and higher on slopes than you might expect. Avoiding avalanche terrain is the only surefire way to manage this problem. Short of that, you can reduce your risk by avoiding large avalanche paths and those with ugly consequences if you are caught in a slide.

    (3/8/2026) Large natural slab avalanche near 10,500' on the south face of Boulder Peak in the Boulder Mtns. 

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snow and strong W-NW winds have built thin drifts and slabs at upper elevations. Look for this problem near and just below exposed ridgelines and along cross-loaded mid-slope gullies. Recent cornice growth, pillows, and dunes are all clues that wind was at work moving snow.  Cracking and collapsing are sure indications that you've found a sensitive slab. You can reduce your odds of triggering a wind slab by sticking to more wind-sheltered slopes with soft powder at the surface.Additional Discussion: If the skies clear this afternoon, wet loose avalanches could occur on slopes facing the sun. These are most likely in very steep, rocky, and wind-sheltered terrain. They will begin small but may quickly gain mass and speed as they move downhill over slick crusts. Roller balls or pinwheels are clues that the snow surface is heating up, and loose avalanches may follow. 

    (3/7/2026) Remnants of an old slab avalanche out 4th of July Creek that's been mostly refilled due to recent wind loading.

    Photo: Tyler, Jorgenson

Avalanche Discussion

Today will be a lull in what's been a so-far underperforming storm. Any lingering snowfall should diminish this morning, bringing snow totals to 5-10" since Wednesday night. Snow was accompanied by moderate to strong winds. Yesterday, we observed blowing and drifting snow in the Smokys and Boulders as well as thin wind slab formation along Titus Ridge near Galena Summit. Notably, both the smaller wind slab and the larger, but less likely, persistent slab problems are most likely on shadier slopes that face away from the afternoon sun.

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