Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may be able to trigger large avalanches failing on weak sugary snow 1-3 feet deep on shadier slopes that face away from the afternoon sun. As you climb into windier areas, be on the lookout for smaller, freshly formed drifts and slabs at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    You could trigger a 1-3 ft thick persistent slab avalanche on buried weak layers (sugary facets, surface hoar, and crust + facet combinations). This problem is worst on middle and upper elevation slopes facing NW-N-NE-E. 

    While the odds are low, the consequences of triggering one of these dense, thick slabs are severe. Don't expect obvious signs of instability. In low probability/high consequence situations like this, there's a good chance the first sign of instability you'll see is the avalanche you trigger. 

    Persistent slabs can fail unpredictably and break wider and higher on slopes than you might expect. Avoiding avalanche terrain is the only surefire way to manage this problem. Short of that, you can reduce your risk by avoiding large avalanche paths and those with ugly consequences if you are caught in a slide.

    (3/8/2026) Large natural slab avalanche near 10,500' on the south face of Boulder Peak in the Boulder Mtns. 

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and strong W-NW winds will continue to build drifts and slabs at upper elevations. Look for this problem near and just below exposed ridgelines and along cross-loaded mid-slope gullies. Recent cornice growth, pillows, and dunes are all clues that wind was at work moving snow.  Cracking and collapsing are sure indications that you've found a sensitive slab. You can reduce your odds of triggering a wind slab by sticking to more wind-sheltered slopes with soft powder at the surface.

    If the mountains receive the upper end of the forecasted totals (about 6 inches), be on the lookout for wind slabs forming in exposed middle elevation terrain as the storm progresses later in the day. 

    (3/7/2026) Remnants of an old slab avalanche out 4th of July Creek that's been mostly refilled due to recent wind loading.

    Photo: Tyler, Jorgenson

Avalanche Discussion

Last night, many SNOTEL sites went down. With less snow and water data available, we have more uncertainty than usual. The mountains most likely picked up 1-4 inches overnight in the wettest places; however, if they received more than that, Wind Slabs could be larger than anticipated. Be on the lookout for changing conditions; conditions are expected to be more dangerous this afternoon as snow and wind continue to load slopes.

Regions covered