Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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 is Moderate today. Steep slopes that face the Sun are going to produce small to medium wet-loose avalanches as the daytime high temperature climbs an additional 10 degrees today.  Wind slabs that formed mid-week are likely stabilizing, but be cautious, and incorporate safe travel protocols on steep slopes in and around upper elevation ridgelines and cornices.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Temperatures are on the rise and are forecasted to be 10 degrees warmer today than yesterday. Along with warmer temps today, the Sun will be adding heat to the snow surface and producing small to medium wet loose avalanches on steep slopes that are getting direct sunlight.  As the day heats up, and you are seeing signs of excessive heat like rollerballs and point releases, move to slopes that are cooler, and are not getting heated by the Sun.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Winds this past week have been variable, switching from North to South, and South to North a couple of times. Gusts reached upwards of 30 MPH Wednesday and have trended downward.  It's likely that most slabs that have formed this week have stabilized by now, but be cautious in and around steep wind affected and or loaded terrain near cornices and ridgelines which involves all aspects given the variable directions.

    Stout wind effected snow surfaces are abundant at upper elevations where the surface was exposed to both Southern and Northern winds. 

     

     

     

    Winds this week at the Granite Weatherstation

Avalanche Discussion

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Our snowpack got a nice refresher of around 11 inches of light fluffy snow Monday-Thursday. Winds were variable and gusted around 30 MPH around Wednesday. The Sun created a crust just before the last storm that can be felt and heard on steeper slopes that tip towards the South.

Upper elevation slopes got abused from the wind all around the compass and it's noticeable enough that you will find the best snow lower where the winds could not destroy the snow surface. Loose-dry snow will remain on shady protected slopes and may run with you on steep slopes which may only be a problem in steep exposed terrain like cliffs, rocks, or gullies.

Right now our upper snowpack is weak overall. It is harboring weak layers that would not support additional loads. You can step out of your sled or skis right now and sink in 1-2 feet through this weak soft snow. If the upper snowpack gained density or weather pattern changes and we get more snow, the Danger would rise. Weather forecasts are calling for a lot of Sun for the next week, so enjoy the good snow and good stability right now, but be cautious in steep terrain and maintain good travel protocols in case you find an outlier. 

Please take a few minutes to review the Payette Winter Travel Map, there are some areas that are closed to motorized travel and are not signed.  It is your responsibility to know where these areas exist and respect closures for wildlife and non-motorized users.  Some of these closures are near Jughandle Mountain, Brundage Mountain Ski Resort, and Goose Lake, other closures exist in the Lick Creek Canyon.