The new snow is Loose-dry snow and can move with you as you ride or ski slopes steeper than 35 degrees.
Winds have trended down, but be cautious Especially on Steep, upper elevation Northern and Eastern aspects where older slabs formed.
Loose-dry snow is what we have been getting since Friday...Steep terrain with consequences like cliffs, logs and rocks are going to be the worst places to have loose snow running with you.
Be extra cautious on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Pulling out, traversing occasionally, or slulff management techniques are going to come into play.
Triggering a wind slab in upper elevation terrain is becoming less likely as the wind speeds have come down in the last 48 hours, but still possible. Especially on Northern and Eastern slopes that were loaded by the wind Thursday-Saturday. The light fluffy snow has been great snow to send into leeward terrain.
Even though the winds were mostly Southern, be suspect in all upper elevation steep terrain even exposed Southern slopes. Cross slope loading is a real factor, and the wind direction can vary in our mountains depending on where you are. Look for clues on the surface indicating which way the wind deposited snow.
Rime can also build up on the windward side of trees and signs indicating wind loading direction.
More dry snow and less wind may hide previous transport. If you are seeing red flags like shooting cracks or hearing hollow sounds find another safer route.
(12/27/2021)
Heavy rime on the weather station showing the buildup on the windward side (SW winds)70.8 inches total on Monday 12/27
Photo: GH
This information is sponsored by Franklin Building Supply in McCall...Thank you for supporting the Payette Avalanche Center!
The lower snowpack is showing signs of strengthening, and now we are dealing with instabilities within the upper 2-3 feet that are not propagating in our tests.
Winds have calmed since Sunday, and we are suspect of deep old slabs that are underneath new blower powder snow.
Our Loose-dry snow avalanche problem is serious in steep, long, sustained slopes or paths...be cautious of snow moving downhill with you as it may take a little longer given the colder than average temps...pack your warmest gear, it is cold in the mountains! We had a temp of 5 degrees F yesterday afternoon at 7700' along with enough breeze to make us wanna hide.
Be cautious of areas that are scoured down to the logs or rocks by the wind, or shallow snow areas that still need a bit more snow to bury the rocks, bushes, and logs better.
