Avalanche forecast

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Large human-triggered avalanches are likely on sheltered, steep slopes and near cornices and ridgelines. Unstable areas of wind-drifted new snow are also possible, and most likely on east through northwest aspects. Persistent slab avalanches may be triggered remotely (from above, below, or on adjacent slopes). Cautious route-finding and good travel protocols are necessary, and the snowpack should be evaluated in a safe place. Keep your eyes on your partners.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Two separate persistent weak layers are buried under recent snowfall from the past two weeks—these range in depth from 1.5 to 4 feet.

    1. Sunday, the 15th, a layer of surface hoar and near-surface facets was buried along with melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects. This persistent slab problem has been very active in recent days and is now buried 1.5-2.5 feet deep. You're most likely to encounter this problem at the middle and upper elevations, across aspects ranging from W-SE.
    2. Two weeks ago, on the 8th, our month-long dry spell came to an end, and all that weak snow was buried. This persistent slab is much deeper, ranging from 2 to 4 feet deep. Triggering an avalanche on these deeper weak layers is becoming much more difficult, but an avalanche would be large and destructive. You're most likely to encounter this deeper, persistent slab on NW-N-NE slopes above 6,500 feet.

    We've received multiple reports of people remotely triggering (from above, below, or on adjacent slopes) persistent slabs. Both of these persistent slabs have shown the potential to propagate long distances and catch people by surprise. As more time passes since the last major storm, you may not receive any clear feedback (such as cracking, collapsing, or whumpfing) before an avalanche. The weight of a snowmachine is much more likely to affect buried weak layers than a person's weight. 

    (2/19/2026)

    Participants in the Motorized Level 2 class spotted these avalanches on Thursday (19th). On the right side of the photo, two cross-loaded terrain features slid naturally, likely on recently buried PWLs. 

    Photo: Payette Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Triggering a wind slab avalanche 1-2 feet deep is possible above 7,500 feet. Triggering a wind slab is most likely near ridgelines, beneath cornices, and on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Avoid slopes steep enough to slide where you see evidence of wind loading, such as dunes, drifts, pillows, or feel denser/stiffer snow beneath your board(s) or sled. These avalanches can be large enough to bury people. Additionally, they can trigger or "step down" to Persistent Slab avalanches as they move downslope.

Avalanche Discussion

Today, the takeaway is clear: Two persistent slab avalanches are on the menu, and you should not try to outsmart these avalanche problems. We've received multiple reports of both natural and human-triggered avalanches this week. These avalanches have been triggered remotely and can propagate far and wide. Play it safe today by adhering to safe travel practices with your group and avoiding steep, wind-loaded slopes that are protected from the sun and wind.

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