Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Triggering an avalanche on a persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar has become very unlikely. The weight of snowmachines are more likely to impact this buried weak layer than the weight of a person. 1-3 inches of snowfall forecasted today with south/southwest winds may create shallow wind slabs by this afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    A persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar is 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) deep beneath the surface. This weak layer was very reactive last week after the heavy, wet snow and rain event 12/26-28. We saw several natural and human-triggered avalanches throughout our advisory area within the days after last week's storm. Most of these avalanches occurred between 7200-7800 feet in elevation on aspects that face the northern half of the compass. These were specific terrain features where isolated pockets of surface hoar was preserved around 12/18. We have not had any reports of avalanche activity on this persistent weak layer since last week. Stability tests show this layer as stubborn to unreactive in many locations throughout our advisory area.

    Although unlikely, a large avalanche is not impossible in:

    • Steep, north-facing terrain
    • Above 7000 feet
    • Near shallow areas in the snowpack (around rocks or cliffs)

    If you want to avoid an avalanche on this persistent weak layer avoid the terrain features mentioned above.

    (1/2/2023)

    SS-N-R2-D2-O

    Ran on buried surface hoar sometime near 12/28

    Photo: Studley

Avalanche Discussion

Today's avalanche forecast is sponsored by Brundage Mountain Resort. Thanks for supporting the Payette Avalanche Center.

Isolated pockets of old wind-deposited snow may still be lurking in upper elevation terrain above 7500 feet. Our advisory area has not seen significant wind or new snowfall in several days. However, a pre-trip plan for a day in the mountains should include a discussion about older wind slabs in specific terrain features. Small wind slabs may be forming by the afternoon with 1-3 inches of snowfall and south/southwest winds forecated today.

 

Join the Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center (FPAC) on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 6PM at Salmon River Brewery.

PINT NIGHT FUNDRAISER for the FPAC! An interactive evening with Michael Ackerman "Ack"(@splitboardinghermit). Ack is a professional educator, adventurer and leader of the nation’s oldest snow safety and avalanche school, Silverton Avalanche School. Ack will be leading an interactive talk at the Taphouse focused on "Our Relationship to Risk". Now is the perfect time to reflect upon your own relationship with risk and examine how that relationship will change throughout the winter and over the course of your life! This transformative and impactful presentation will push YOU to be more mindful and aware of the greater forces driving our actions, behaviors and decision making on the slopes. The talk is FREE, $1 from every pint will be donated by SRB to the FPAC! This fundraising event is sponsored by Brundage Mountain Resort Patrol, Avalanche Science, Silverton Avalanche School, & The Salmon River Brewing. Thank you Ack for donating your time to bring more awareness to our community!