Avalanche forecast

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Watch for stiff wind drifts and cracking, especially near corniced ridgelines & steep rollovers—you could trigger drifts up to about a foot deep by the afternoon that could potentially step down into deeper layers. Give large cornices and slopes below them a wide buffer, as a cornice fall could trigger a larger avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Triggering a large persistent slab avalanche is becoming less likely. Many slopes steeper than 35 degrees have slid naturally or have been triggered by someone; however unstable test scores and poor snowpack structure still exist.

     A surface hoar layer buried 2/14 now sits about 2–3 feet deep (1.5–2 feet deep around West Mountain). This layer is responsible for many large avalanches over the past two weeks, mainly on wind-loaded terrain that faces NW–NE–E above 7,000 feet.

    Signs of instability may be absent, and slopes with multiple tracks could still produce a large avalanche. Reduce your risk by avoiding slopes steeper than about 35°, particularly rocky, wind-affected alpine terrain, and be mindful of terrain traps like trees, rocks, and gullies. Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain.

    (Tuesday 3/10/2026) Photo: George Halcom

    2/14 weak layer of buried surface hoar not strengthening.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    4-6 inches of new snow today along with gusty, 30mph southwest winds are going to be pushing snow into leeward terrain and building slabs up to about a foot thick that are likely going to be sensitive to the weight of a person. While this problem is small now, it may be larger in some areas already and definately will grow towards the end of the day. Watch for clues as to where the wind has loaded slopes where you are traveling. Most problem areas are going to be from North to East aspects yet the local terrain will influence loading direction. If you are seeing cracking or other red flags, find another lower angle route.

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