Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are possible in middle and upper elevation terrain. Triggering a large avalanche is most likely where 1) the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the surface and 2) old, weak snow exists below the recent wind-drifted snow. The avalanche danger is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE overnight as the next storm brings more snowfall and wind.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent wind and snowfall formed 1-2 foot thick slabs above various weak layers (facets, crusts, and crust + facet combinations). The odds you trigger a slide are greatest where wind formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface.  Avalanches are less likely but possible on steep slopes more sheltered from the wind, especially as new snowfall stacks up later today and tonight.

    Weak, faceted snow was buried by snowfall over the past few days on many middle and upper elevation slopes. This problem is most prevalent on NW, N, NE, and E aspects. Here, early season snow has lingered for weeks or months. Slides may break wider than expected and can be triggered remotely—from gentler terrain above, below, or to the sides of steep slopes.

    All recent observations noted cracking, collapsing and, even remote triggering of avalanches. These are all obvious signs of instability. If you see similar signs, it is a clear indication that you've found unstable snow and should look for lower angle or softer snow in areas sheltered from the wind.

    These avalanches were remotely triggered on 12/6/2025 on a NE aspect around 9600', near the peak above Titus Lake.

    Photo: Ben VandenBos

Avalanche Discussion

Today, you can drastically reduce your risk of triggering a large avalanche by looking for and avoiding areas with a stiff slab near the surface. Actively seeking out softer snow is safer and more enjoyable but doesn't eliminate the threat of triggering an avalanche. Given the recently observed avalanches, even deceptively soft slabs have the potential to release in steep terrain. Because of the weak layer(s) buried by this storm, any avalanches you trigger could break above you and be wider and larger than expected. Slopes where wind-drifted or new snow fell directly on the ground are generally stable.

The persistent slabs described above have two primary ingredients: buried weak layers and a slab. Put that combination into avalanche terrain, and you've got a problem. We expect this problem to get worse before it gets better. Why? The snowpack doesn't like change; especially rapid change. And we're expecting a major influx of both snow and rain to impact the area beginning tonight. If you're out today, be aware that avalanche conditions could worsen this afternoon and evening.

The season is young, the snowpack is shallow, observations are limited, and we have a lot to learn. What we do know: the snowpack contains weak snow where there's enough snow to keep your skis or sled off the ground, and this same terrain produced large avalanches over the weekend. Given the limited observations, building this uncertainty into your trip plans means including a larger margin of error. If you're out in the mountains, please submit an Observation to help us fill in the gaps!

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