Avalanche forecast Avalanche Forecast — Mar 17, 2025

Avalanche forecast

Issued Mar 17, 2025valid to Mar 18, 2025Payette Avalanche Center

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Avalanche danger

Alpine

4 · High

Treeline

4 · High

Below

3 · Considerable

Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended! Triggering Storm slab, wind slab, and loose dry avalanches 3-4 feet deep are very likely. Heavy, warmer snowfall has created storm slabs and gusty winds have created wind slabs in leeward terrain.

Avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees and stay far away from avalanche run out or from slopes connected to steeper terrain.

Avalanche problems

Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Very Likely
Size
1–2.5
Sunday temps warmed, but luckily not quite as warm as originally forecasted. Warmer snow, up to 15 inches or more fell on top of lighter drier snow from the storm. Since Wednesday, we had picked up around 34 inches of new snow. On Sunday, warmer, and denser snow turned our snowpack upside down with the newer snow being heavier. Riders reported triggering small slides on cutbanks and seeing cracks and the snow become slabby as well as feeling their sleds move while hearing whoomphing noises.

Now, there is around 40 inches of new snow with the upper 6-12 inches or more being heavier than the snow below.

You are most likely to find storm slab instabilities in terrain that is sheltered from the wind at lower and mid elevations. Staying away from slopes steep enough to slide (+30 degrees) is the only way to avoid this problem.

Photo: Public

Triggering cutbanks above Goose Lake road on Sunday.
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
1–2.5
Strong gusty winds have been mostly out of the SSW and along with copious amounts of new snow have likely formed sensitive slabs in leeward terrain. Wind slabs are most likely on NW through SE slopes under ridges and cornices, and even on cross-loaded fingers that are exposed.

Look for visual clues on the surface as well as dunes or pillows to confirm wind loading direction in the area you plan to travel as the terrain will ultimately dictate slope loading patterns. If you are seeing red flags like cracking or are hearing collapses or whoomphing noises in the snowpack, turn around or find a lower angle route to travel.
(3/17/2025) Photo: Payette Avalanche Center

Wind at Granite Mountain Weatherstation.
Loose Dry
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
1–2
40 inches of new snow since last Wednesday could move with you if you are not triggering storm or wind slabs. Loose snow can push you into terrain you may want to avoid, and it could be as simple as a giant tree well or a cliff.

Avoid terrain steep enough to slide and you avoid this problem.