Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Large human-triggered avalanches are most likely on slopes where wind has formed drifts and slabs. In terrain sheltered from the wind, triggering large avalanches is possible. The first sign of instability could be an avalanche you trigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    We received reports of a handful ofhuman-triggered avalanches over the weekend. Many of these were remote triggers, failed on the weak sugary facets buried ~2 ft down and are clear indicators that the January drought layers are still a threat. Triggering similar avalanches today is most likely in recently wind-loaded terrain. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways. They can be much wider than expected and be triggered remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

    Last week's storm snow buried weak facets, surface hoar, and crust-facet combinations on many middle and upper-elevation slopes. More deeply buried weak layers that formed during the extended Jan-Feb drought (facets, crust + facets, surface hoar) have not healed and remain suspect, primarily on NW-N-NE-E aspects above and below the middle-to-upper elevation transition.

    Avoiding steep, wind-loaded slopes is the best way to avoid trouble today. Please remember that avalanches are also possible in more sheltered terrain. Snowpack cracking and collapsing are clear signs of unstable conditions.

    (2/19/2026)

    Very large avalanche on McDonald Peak in the southern Sawtooths. NE @ 9,500'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The winds were blowing hard enough to move and redistribute snow in both open alpine zones as well as in more sheltered locations yesterday. Expect to find a fresh crop of reactive wind slabs in exposed upper and middle elevations today. These are most commonly found near or below ridgelines, along mid-slope ribs, and on aprons beneath chutes. Cracks shooting out in front of your sled or boards mean you've found a sensitive slab. Look for wind-affected surfaces, dunes, or drifts.  Feel for stiff slabs overlying weaker or softer snow.

    You can manage your exposure to this problem by identifying and avoiding wind-loaded slopes. Smaller wind slabs can also act as effective triggers for larger persistent slab avalanches described above.

    (2/22/2026)

    Winds transporting snow in the Northern Sawtooth on Feb 22, 2026.

Avalanche Discussion

Our observations from the weekend (thank you, observers!) paint a clear picture: triggering large avalanches remains quite possible, and yet obvious signs of instability are inconsistent and unreliable. The first sign of instability could be an avalanche you trigger. The January drought's weak, faceted snow continues to adjust to its February snow loads and is about to get walloped again with the incoming storm. The adage "when in doubt, mellow out" feels very applicable right now. Applying a conservative mindset to terrain is the best way to continue to enjoy the recent fresh snow and yet remain safe while in the backcountry.

Yesterday we saw the warmest temperatures since receiving about 2' of new snow earlier this week. Small, wet loose avalanches were reported on sun-facing slopes sheltered from winds and near rock outcrops. As the weather warms again today, dry surface snow may turn into denser slabs in shaded terrain. On sunny slopes, the sun and warm temperatures could cause the upper snow to weaken, and we expect to see loose snow avalanches occurring on steep slopes. Either could be enough to trigger larger avalanches, failing on weak layers deeper in the snowpack. 

Buckle up for tomorrow, because we'll be back in the flow with a solid stomping storm and rapidly increasing avalanche danger.

Regions covered