Avalanche forecast

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Yesterday, riders triggered avalanches where the wind formed drifts and stiffened the snow surface. Similar triggered avalanches are possible today. The fresh slabs are largest and most widespread in upper-elevation terrain and in bowls below steep cliff bands, but you could also encounter them at middle elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall and shifting W-NW-N-NE wind formed fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. Yesterday, snowmobilers triggered small wind slab avalanches in the southern Sawtooths. One rider was caught and carried but was unharmed (report). In the Smoky Mountains near Titus Peak, skiers remote triggered a large avalanche from a low angle ridgeline (report). Over the past few days, multiple large natural avalanches released in wind-loaded upper elevation terrain of the Sawtooths and Smokys (photo above/right, list). 

    Wind slabs formed atop a variety of weak snow layers, including facets on shadier slopes and facets or crusts on sunnier W-SW-S-SE aspects. Smaller wind slabs on sunnier slopes have shown the potential to step down to deeper buried weak layers resulting in very large, destructive slides (report). Erratic wind and ongoing light snowfall will make wind-loaded slopes hard to identify. Look carefully for drifts and pillows of snow below exposed ridgelines, on the sides of gullies or chutes, and near large terrain features. In the Sawtooth Mtns, you could find slabs below large cliff bands and on the aprons of chutes and couloirs. While more prevalent at upper elevations, some slabs may exist on windier middle elevation slopes. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are an obvious sign of instability. 

     

     

    (2/22/2023) This very large avalanche released at about 10,000' on a N face of Merritt Pk in the Sawtooths.

Avalanche Discussion

Steering clear of recently formed drifts and slabs is the most effective way to stay out of trouble. Recently wind-drifted snow may not be obvious as today's light snowfall covers obvious wind drifts. While minor, there is one other scenario to keep in mind as you prepare to head into the mountains:

  • Loose Snow Avalanches: Up to a foot of snow has fallen here since Sunday. This recent low-density snow sits atop extremely weak facets on some NW-N-NE-E facing slopes. On very steep slopes approaching 40 degrees, it won't take much to get surficial sluffs moving (photo). A little bit of direct sunshine, rapid snowfall, or some wind-blown snow sifting onto a steep slope could trigger natural loose snow avalanches. These probably won't be big enough to bury you, but they can pack a punch and could knock you over, pushing you where you don't want to go. Sluffs have the potential to trigger wind slab avalanches when recent winds formed stiff drifts lower in cirques and on the aprons of chutes and couloirs. 

Pay attention to the terrain above you. Remember that even small avalanches can have bad outcomes in complex terrain. Before committing to skiing or riding a slope, think about where an avalanche could carry you. Could you get pushed over cliffs, through trees, or into creeks or gullies? Slopes with these terrain traps are inherently more dangerous than open slopes with a clean runout.

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