Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The Avalanche hazard in the West Central Mountains today is Moderate above 8,000 feet.  Dry-loose avalanches within the upper 3-6 inches of the snowpack are possible on steep slopes that are not facing the Sun, especially where the latest snow is resting on slick crusts.  Wet-loose avalanches are possible on steep slopes facing the Sun as the snow surface picks up heat. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

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

    The last storm dropped 2-3 inches or more depending on where you are at in the advisory area. A lot of graupel came down and was obvious in our test pits yesterday where the blocks were failing on isolation (very poorly bonded-no bond at all).  Where the graupel and new snow is resting on slick crusts, and the slope angle is steeper than 30 degrees, you could get enough snow moving with you to knock you down, send you into bad terrain, and potentially injure you.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    It does not take much time in the Sun right now to know that Spring is here. As the Sun warms up the snow today we will likely see point releases and wet-loose activity increase on solar aspects near rocky outcrops, and on Steep slopes getting a lot of Sun. If you are sinking in past your ankles, or are seeing rollerballs, or point releases move to another aspect that is cooler, or not under direct Sun.  

Avalanche Discussion

Our snowpack has gotten a lot stronger after going through days of melt-freeze, especially below 7,000 feet. In the upper elevations, we got a few inches of snow (mostly graupel) on Friday that came in with gusty winds. Temperatures cooled down enough this weekend to help re-freeze our snowpack that got saturated from rain and warm temps. Slick crusts formed, and in places are obvious because all of the snow was scoured off from the gusty winds. The upper 3-6 inches of new dry snow is resting now on crusts and graupel that was not really bonded at all. March Sun is powerful and only needs to be out for a little while before the heat is noticeable...As we get some more snow and wind that is forecasted early this week, we will likely see a rise in the avalanche hazard.

We would love to hear from you...If you see or trigger avalanche activity, please take the time to snap a picture and note the approximate elevation and aspect, you can submit an observation on our website. Getting your info helps forecasters and other users get a better picture of the conditions throughout our mountains. If you have trouble using our observations page, please email us at: [email protected]   Please be mindful of other users in the mountains, and where you are at. There are closures for motorized travel in and around the local ski areas, in the Lick Creek Canyon,  Granite Mtn, Jug Mountain, and other areas throughout our region.  Check out the Winter Travel Map to find out where you can shred on your sled or moto.   Not all of these areas are signed, it is your responsibility to know where these closures exist.