Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow from Monday's storm will be receiving intense spring sunshine today. Temperatures are forecasted to be 10 degrees above normal. Watch for wet loose avalanches as the new snow becomes moist and weakens as the day progresses. If you witness new snow shedding off steep slopes and/or rocks and cliffs, it's time to head to a different aspect. There still remains a likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche in steep, north-facing terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Monday's storm brought 10-30 cm (4-12") of new snow with A LOT of wind. In some places, the snow surfaces are wiped clean and completely scoured. In leeward terrain features, there is 25-35 cm (10-15") of wind-deposited snow. Yesterday, was the first day of full sun after the storm. We did not observe any wet loose activity as of early yesterday afternoon in the Lick Creek drainage. Today, the forecasted weather is calling for clear skies, full sun, and temperatures rising to 10 degrees above normal (40-50 degrees F above 7000'). As this new snow begins to bake in the sun today, expect to encounter wet loose avalanches. There is a fair amount of new snow that will be getting saturated today and could produce D1.5-D2 size wet loose avalanches.

    South-facing slopes will be most prone to wet loose hazard today. However, as the day warms, new snow could become moist and unstable on north-facing terrain. Pay attention to the sun and how long it's directly impacting a particular slope. If you witness new snow shedding off rocks and cliffs, it's time to move to a different aspect. Use caution traveling under steep slopes, especially in the afternoon, as that's when the sun is highest and most influential.

    (3/26/2022)

    Wet loose slides fanning out on E aspects

    Photo: PAC

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Monday's storm built wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Strong south/southwest winds deposited snow on northwest through east-facing slopes. This problem is becoming unlikely to trigger, especially as the day warms. However, there may be some lurking areas holding wind-deposited snow this morning. You are most likely to encounter this problem above 7000' on shaded, north-facing slopes.

    Approach these steep, upper elevation slopes with caution. The video to the right shows a snowmobiler triggering a wind slab avalanche in this type of terrain after Monday's storm. Have a good plan in place when traveling in this terrain and continue to use safe travel protocols.

Avalanche Discussion

Today's Advisory is sponsored by Brundage Mountain Resort. Thank You For Supporting the Payette Avalanche Center.

Monday was a nice return to winter, as we received a dose of new snow. Today and tomorrow, temperatures will be climbing to 10-20 degrees above normal. Clear skies and warm temperatures began impacting the new snow yesterday. The forecasted weather through Friday will undoubtedly create wet loose avalanches. These avalanches will follow the sun across the sky from east to south to west today. With the longer days and higher sun angle, we can expect to see wet loose avalanches on steeper, north-facing terrain over the next two days. 

Yesterday, the PAC received a video from a member of the public regarding a snowmobile-triggered avalanche near Council Mountain. We would like to thank those that submitted the video. This humble act allows for an opportunity to educate the rest of the viewing public. We don't have a lot of information about this incident. However, we do know this occurred either Tuesday or Wednesday (5th or 6th). This was a wind slab avalanche triggered just below a large cornice that was probably around 7500-8000' in elevation on a more northern aspect. The avalanche looks to have stepped down to deeper weak layers from the late-March heatwave. The best we can tell this would be a SS-AMu-R2-D1.5-I/O. 

 

***We will issue our last avalanche advisory for the season on Saturday, April 9th, 2022.