Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Be on the lookout for pockets of wind-drifted snow that formed during yesterday's storm. Even small slides can pick up speed quickly in steep terrain thanks to the firm, icy surfaces underneath. Generally stable conditions exist and large avalanches are unlikely.

Yesterday's storm brought 2-5" of new snow to favored portions of this zone. While this isn't enough to drastically change the stability picture, it is enough to generate some new, small hazards to be thinking about. Let's take a look at how this new snow will impact your day if you're out in the mountains:

FRESH WIND SLABS: Moderate winds blew in this zone yesterday, building small but reactive wind slabs in terrain exposed to the effects of the wind. My partner and I found some of these yesterday in the Sawtooths (photo here, observation here). You are most likely to find these slabs in upper elevation terrain, but you may find a few lower down as well, thanks to the shifting nature of the winds. Look for them near features that slow the wind down and force it to deposit the snow it is carrying. You can use features like drifts and pillows of snow and dunes and ripples on the surface of the snow to help you to identify these fresh slabs. If the snow you are traveling in suddenly becomes much deeper or increases in stiffness you've likely found a fresh wind slab. Cracks shooting out from your board or your skis are clear signs that you've found a sensitive slab.

SPINDRIFT SLABS: In the steep and rocky terrain found in the Sawtooths it is common to develop slabs that form at the base of cliff bands and on the aprons below couloirs. These slabs form from snow that pours down from steeper terrain above and is deposited when the slope angle decreases. They look a bit different from the wind slabs described above, but they tend to behave in similar ways. Be on the lookout for these types of slabs if you are traveling in this type of terrain.

LOOSE SNOW AVALANCHES: The low-density snow that fell yesterday is sitting on a variety of firm and icy surfaces that developed over the extended drought that we've been living through. If you are seeking out steep terrain, you might be able to initiate some of these loose snow sluffs. Though small, they can pick up speed rapidly thanks to the firm surfaces underneath. 

OLD WIND SLABS: Strong winds over the past week have built up a few rounds of very stiff wind slabs that are now buried by yesterday's snowfall. In most areas these have had time to bond to the snow they are sitting on. However, in places where they are resting on well-developed weak layers, they may still be reactive to your weight. You'll find better skiing and riding and safer conditions by avoiding these dense slabs.

While large avalanches are unlikely today, even small slides can ruin your day (or worse). Be mindful of the consequences of being caught in a small avalanche in the terrain that you are traveling through. Think about the objects you might be dragged through/over (rocks, cliff bands, trees, etc.) and where you might be deposited (terrain traps, creek beds, etc.). We encourage you to continue to use your safe travel protocols, even during periods of LOW danger; only expose one person to avalanche hazard at a time, keep a close eye on your partners, and carry your rescue gear and know how to use it. Now is a great time to practice using these skills.

Be sure to catch up on what happened this past week in Scott's latest Weekend Update.