Avalanche forecast

West Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
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Highlights

Natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches will become likely on steep, south-facing slopes, especially on melt-freeze crusts. Pay attention to rollerballs and pinwheels, indicating new snow is becoming wet and unstable. Direct sunshine will consolidate recent soft snow into a sensitive slab. Stick to shaded aspects, away from wind-affected snow, to find the safest conditions.

Terrain below 6,500 feet in the West Mountain zone lacks sufficient snow to create large avalanches.

The last avalanche forecast of the season will be published on Sunday, April 5th.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The spring sun will be in full force on the snowpack today. Recent snow totals over the West Mountain zone tallied around a foot this past week. Expect loose snow avalanche activity to rise as recent storm snow receives a dose of direct solar radiation. Loose snow avalanches will likely begin dry earlier in the day and progress to wet loose the longer the sun shines. Underneath the recent storm snow, there are melt-freeze crusts and wet snow across multiple aspects and elevations. As new snow becomes wet and unstable, wet loose avalanches sliding on top of these crusts could become dangerous on steep slopes tilted toward the sun. Be heads up around slopes steeper than 35 degrees if the sun is destabilizing the new snow.

    These avalanches typically begin at a single point (such as rocks, cliffs, or trees) and travel downhill slowly, picking up snow and momentum. Wet loose avalanches can pack a serious punch in steep terrain. Be mindful of terrain traps like gullies or depressions, where wet, loose avalanche debris can pile up quickly and deeply. If you're observing signs that the new snow is becoming wet and unstable (shedding off solar objects like rocks, trees, cliffs, or rollerballs/pinwheels), it's time to switch to a different aspect that's not receiving direct sunshine.

    Dry Loose - On the steep, shaded, north-facing slopes, be prepared to manage dry loose avalanches, or sluff. Similar to their sun-loving sibling, dry loose avalanches can easily sweep you off your feet in steep, consequential terrain and have bad outcomes.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow has settled, and winds have died down. Triggering a wind slab 1-1.5 feet thick is unlikely. Areas where you still may find lingering wind slabs are above 7,500 feet, on east-facing slopes, just below corniced ridgelines. Look for clues of wind-affected snow, such as drifts, dunes, pillows, and freshly built cornices. Watch for signs of instability, such as shooting cracks from your skis, board, or sled. If you're observing these signs, find another aspect away from wind-drifted snow.

    Storm Slab - Warm sunshine today, along with recent settlement, could consolidate recent soft snow into a dense, sensitive slab. Pay attention to how the new snow is responding to direct sunshine. Avoid steep south-facing slopes if you feel new snow becoming dense and heavy. Snow can change in a matter of minutes with a higher, more direct sun angle.

    Look for clues of wind slabs, such as dunes, drifts, pillows, or freshly built cornices.

Avalanche Discussion

Today is a day of transition from Winter to Spring. The weather this past week has been cool and wintry as the West Mountain zone picked up about a foot of snow (1-2"SWE). Yesterday, low to mid-level clouds lingered over the higher terrain for most of the day. Today, there is higher confidence for clear skies and abundant sunshine. With clear skies and direct sunshine on recent storm snow, expect to find changing snow and avalanche conditions. Wet loose avalanche activity should be on your radar today on any steep slopes facing the sun. Keep your avalanche brains turned on and maintain safe travel habits such as cautious route-finding, traveling one at a time, and carrying the proper gear.

Sunday, April 5th, will be our last avalanche forecast. We will continue to update the General Avalanche Information as conditions warrant.

If you're out in the mountains, submit an observation on our website or through the Avy App. Tag us #payetteavy

 

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