Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind slabs remain possible in upper elevation wind-affected terrain. The size of a wind slab avalanche will most likely be small right now except near ridge tops, in natural catchments(like gullies or other confined terrain), and where winds have filled in old avalanches from last week, wind slabs could be deeper in these locations. Pay attention to clues that indicate wind slab development (drifted snow, scoured or etched snow surface, hollow or slabby feeling). If you are finding these clues, find a safe travel route away from consequences such as terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    For the last week, ridgetop winds have been gusty and there has been just enough new snow to continue building shallow wind slabs. You may encounter deeper wind slabs near ridgetops, where wind-deposited snow has filled natural depressions and gullies, or in the bed surfaces from the widespread avalanche cycle last Tuesday. Some of these avalanches were up to a foot thick and we've had light snow and strong winds since then. Winds have easily filled in old crowns and bed surfaces from previous avalanches.  

    Look for drifts, etching of snow surface, or other indicators of wind slab development. If you notice the snow become punchy or hollow feeling, you have found this wind slab and you should choose a safe route to more stable snow conditions.

     

    Wind deposited snow forming 1.5 ft deep pockets near ridgetops yesterday.  With only a few inches of new snow on the crust in most areas, these drifted areas can be surprising. The intermittent  NW winds yesterday kept the light snow moving.

Avalanche Discussion

Today's Advisory is sponsored by  Brundage Mountain Resort.  Thank You For Supporting the Payette Avalanche Center!

  • Wind Slab: Yesterday, moderate NW winds continued to transport snow at upper elevations. There has been consistent wind slab development since last Friday. These wind slabs are likely to be small in size but could have large consequences in steep terrain or in places with terrain traps. Pay attention to the snow as you travel into upper elevation terrain and dial back terrain selection if you encounter evidence of wind slab. Watch for deeper wind slabs to have formed where avalanches released last week. Some of these crowns and bed surfaces were up to a foot thick and winds have deposited snow since last week, filling in these old crowns and bed surfaces.
  • 02/14 weak layer:  There are small (0.5 mm) rounded facets below this weak layer and larger (1.0-1.5 mm) slightly less-rounded facets above this weak layer. This is likely the weak layer that failed during last week's avalanche cycle. Steep slopes that slid on this weak layer are no longer a problem (see point mentioned above though). However, there may be slopes that did not release naturally where this weak layer should still be in your mind. Snowmobilers in particular should be wary of this weak layer as it is buried about two feet deep and takes a lot of force to produce results.