Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Conditions are generally stable, and avalanches are unlikely. Triggering small, loose snow avalanches (sluffs) is most likely on sunny slopes if surface snow becomes wet and mushy or on shady slopes where the upper snowpack consists of roughly a foot of weak, sugary snow. Consider where a small sluff could push you, especially in extreme terrain. 

We've started to get reports of small natural and human-triggered avalanches in the past couple of days. These are limited to loose-snow avalanches and have occurred in steep terrain. If your travel plans include "extreme" terrain, think about where even a small avalanche could carry you. Problems that may catch you off guard today include:

Loose Snow: Small loose snow avalanches can be found on either sunny (loose wet) or shady (loose dry), wind-protected slopes.

• Dry - Small loose dry avalanches are possible on steep slopes facing NW-N-NE-E. If the upper snowpack contains about a foot of unconsolidated, sugary facets, expect sluffs to entrain additional snow as they move downhill. While these avalanches are generally small, they can be dangerous in consequential terrain, as they may push you into cliffs, trees, or other hazards. Loose dry avalanches typically start small beneath your skis or sled and grow as they descend. Managing this problem is often as simple as slowing down and allowing the sluff to run ahead of you.
• Wet - Small, natural, and human-triggered avalanches are possible on very steep slopes if 1) they are receiving direct, unobscured sunshine and 2) are protected from the wind. These slides often release near rock bands or trees. If you're sinking more than a few inches into wet, mushy snow or see fresh wet rollerballs, move to cooler, shadier slopes.

Cornices: Some are quite large, and many are sagging or overhanging. It can be difficult to tell where solid ground stops and the cornice starts; give them space when traveling along ridgelines. Falling cornices can trigger avalanches when they land on steep slopes.

Wind Slabs: Most wind slabs have stabilized and are not sensitive to the weight of skiers or snowmobilers. That said, pay attention in very steep terrain where hard wind slabs may overlie weak, sugary faceted snow. The "hard slabs over facets" can sound or feel hollow or "drummy" and are most widespread in alpine terrain. Old, weathered hard slabs are typically triggered near rocks (buried or exposed) or on the edges where the slab thins to less than 2 feet thick. 

It's easy to let your guard down during extended periods of LOW danger. Good travel habits will continue to help you stack the odds in your favor:

• Have a plan: Discuss route options, decision points, and what terrain is off-limits before you leave the truck or car.
• Bring the gear: Carry and know how to use your transceiver, shovel, and probe. 
• Monitor conditions: Is the wind transporting more snow than expected? Is it hotter and calmer than expected, raising the threat of wet avalanches?
• Look for obvious signs of instability: Fresh rollerballs, cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches indicate that avalanches are possible.
• Only expose one person at a time when skiing or riding steep slopes.