Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago.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're most likely to trigger a slab avalanche in areas where recent wind and snow have formed drifts and slabs at upper elevations. While not likely, you may be able to trigger a larger avalanche on shadier slopes that face away from the afternoon sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    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. 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 snow totals (about 6 to 8 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

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    Although unlikely, you could trigger a 2-3 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.

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