Salmon River Mountains

Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely today. Rain and warm temperatures have created generally stable snowpack conditions. Above 8,000 feet, look for small isolated pockets of wind slabs where the snow did not get saturated by recent rains. 

Yesterday, rain/snow levels rose between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. 1-2 inches (0.25" SWE) of new snow fell above 8,000 feet. Rain (and wet snow) has "shrink-wrapped" the snow surface, creating very little to no available snow for transport. Over the past 48 hours, we've had 4-6 inches of new snowfall and moderate to light southern winds. New snow has fallen atop weak snow (near-surface facets and surface hoar) that formed during this past week. Yesterday on West Mountain, Gabrielle and I observed a very dense and stable snowpack, with recently buried weak layers getting saturated by rain. You can read that observation HERE. Today, throughout most of your travels, you'll find a recently saturated upper snowpack that may have formed a thin crust at the surface.

Above the recent rain/snow line (~8,000 feet), you will find a drier snowpack with recently wind-drifted snow. At these far upper elevations, you could find small, isolated pockets of wind slabs on N, NE, and E-facing terrain. This would be most likely along exposed upper elevation ridgelines and in alpine terrain. Wind slabs will be most problematic in high-consequence terrain where getting knocked off your board(s) or machine, or getting taken for a ride by even a small slide, would be dangerous.

If you're out in the mountains, submit an online observation HERE. Even simple snow and weather observations can help keep other users safe and help us craft a more reliable forecast for you.

• Tag us #payetteavy
• Download the Avy App HERE