Snake River Range

The snowpack is generally stable. At the upper elevations, recent snowfall could be triggered as loose snow or shallow soft slabs in very steep terrain. Caution should be exercised above the types of terrain traps where a small amount of snow could knock someone off their feet and cause a consequential fall. Specifically areas just above or around cliffs or rocky areas should be treated with respect.

The two inches of snow that fell over the last 24 hours brings the totals to approximately 50 inches of snow for the month of January. Nearly all of that snow fell during the first week of the month with just 4 or so inches of snow falling during the last week. The snowpack became quite stable during the middle of the month and the drought period resulted in a variety of snow surfaces. These include hard wind/sun/melt-freeze crusts as well as surface facets in protected terrain at higher elevations, while advanced faceting and surface hoar growth was prevalent at mid and low elevations. There has not been enough new or recent snow to create a significant avalanche concern although small slabs or loose snow instabilities can be found where accumulations, assisted by winds have been more significant. Moving forward, predicted sunshine and warmer temperatures will bond the new snow to old surfaces in sunlit areas while in colder terrain, the snow will facet and be a layer of concern in the future. 

Observations are valuable even during periods of high pressure. Yesterday's capture of buried surface hoar is a great example.  Feel free to submit an observation here.