Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a persistent slab avalanche is becoming unlikely. You are most likely to encounter this problem on steep, shaded slopes above 7000'. Your chance of triggering an avalanche near and within the West Mountain Range is greater than areas north and east of McCall.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche is decreasing. The poor structure still exists, however, the snow grains are rounding. This process takes time. This problem is found on specific terrain features (i.e. shaded slopes above 7000'). There is a discrepancy within our forecast zone. This problem has become fairly unreactive in areas north and east of McCall. In areas near and within the West Mountain Range, the persistent slab problem (although stubborn), has been slightly more reactive. Although the likelihood has changed, triggering a large avalanche on weak snow near the ground is not impossible. The weight of a snowmachine is more likely to impact these weak layers than the weight of a person. 

    Additional Discussion: 2-4 inches of snow fell overnight with strong SW winds. This new snow fell on a melt-freeze crust. You can expect to encounter shallow new snow problems on this crust. In wind-loaded terrain, you may find shallow wind slabs of 6-8".

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday the PAC toured into the NW corner of our forecast zone. You can find an observation here. Travel conditions were less than favorable for snowmobiles and downhill skiing with a MF crust on all aspects. Last night a storm graced our region with a few inches of snow. This new snow fell on a fairly widespread crust on the surface. You can expect this new snow to bond poorly to the crust and create some loose snow in steep terrain or shallow wind slabs in leeward terrain. General lack of snow has created its own hazard. Obstacles abound and off trail travel below 7000' is challenging and dangerous. Unforuntately, the slopes holding the most snow (and where most folks want to recreate) are the same slopes holding a weak snowpack. Slopes steeper than 30 degrees on shaded, north aspects should still be treated with a healthy dose of caution.

Please continue sharing your observations this season.  We have a brand new observation platform. Check it out here. Have you been out in the mountains and want to submit an observation of your own? Submitting an observation improves your skills, informs other users, and benefits avalanche forecasts. Simple photos highlighting conditions are very helpful.

Join FPAC and the PAC Forecasters on 12/28 at McCall’s Foresters Bar for our first State of the Snowpack talk at 6PM.  We will also be showing 208 Production’s White Gold to  get our 2 stroke stoke on, and raffling off season passes from Tamarack and Brundage.  We will also have some of our new swag and some additional raffle items.  Come out and support the PAC and the Friends and find out what is going on with our snowpack.