Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Be on the lookout for small, fresh wind drifts at upper elevations. As the day warms up, small loose snow avalanches could occur on very steep slopes that face the sun. Triggering a large avalanche remains a possibility on very steep, rocky, wind-affected slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    This zone has been the "not so sweet spot" for the persistent slab problem. The faceted snow near the ground has been especially weak here, and the 2.5-4' thick slab is both thick enough to produce large avalanches and thin enough that our weight can impact the weak layer. 

    It's been two weeks without an avalanche, substantial loading, or notable snowfall. Can you ski and ride most slopes without triggering a large persistent slab avalanche? Yes. Would I be surprised if someone triggered a slide? Yes. Would I be totally shocked? No. 

    The poor snowpack layering that exists on most shady slopes (NW-N-NE-E facing) at middle and upper elevations continues to give local professionals and savvy backcountry riders pause. To reduce the chances of finding trouble, avoid "prime-time" slope angles (35-45 degrees) in rocky, wind-affected terrain (see photo). 

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday's small storm brought 3-5" of new snow to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone accompanied by light to moderate northerly winds. This wasn't enough to appreciably change the avalanche danger. However, it did add a few things to the list of "minor" problems that you could encounter today, especially if your backcountry adventures take you to steep, consequential terrain:

  • Fresh wind slabs. Wind slab avalanches were triggered yesterday in the Sawtooths (photo) and Banner Summit area. These slabs built atop weak snow surfaces formed during the ongoing dry spell and broke wider than expected. Although the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone received less new snow than further north, small wind slabs likely exist in this zone too. Watch for signs of wind texture at the surface or snow that feels thicker, denser, or more cohesive than what you're finding on wind-sheltered slopes.
  • Wet loose avalanches. Thursday's new snow fell on top of slick crusts on slopes that face the sun. Small wet loose slides have been reported in three out of four zones, including one in the northern Boulder Mtns behind Galena Lodge (photo). Today's warm temps and sunshine will produce the possibility of more wet sluffs. These could occur naturally as the day warms up—pay attention to the terrain above you.

Catch up on what happened (or didn't happen) this past week in Scott's latest Weekend Update.

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