Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise to HIGH by Sunday afternoon. Rain on snow will be falling up to 7000' (maybe higher) throughout the day. Widespread wet loose avalanches will become very likely by Sunday afternoon. Above the rain/snow line, 8-16" of heavy, wet snow will create sensitive storm slabs. Multiple avalanche problems combined with warm, wet, weird weather make it a good idea to plan for an early day and to avoid avalanche terrain by the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Rain on snow will create wet loose avalanches below 7500'. Rain/snow levels will be rising throughout the day and into the Sunday evening. Rain/snow levels are forecasted to peak between 7-7500' sometime Sunday evening. Rain and wet snow will create wet loose avalanches across all aspects below the rain/snow line. Wet slides could entrain at least 12" of the upper snowpack, maybe more in places. Avoid being on or underneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees within the rain/snow line by Sunday afternoon. Pay attention to the terrain above you, even on groomed trails, especially steep road cuts.

    (4/12/2023)

    Wet loose debris blocking most of the road.

    Photo: Studley

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    8-16" of heavy wet snowfall is forecasted for the upper elevations by Sunday evening. Most of this snow will be falling above 7000'. Several inches may accumulate at the lower elevations early Sunday morning before rain/snow levels rise. This wet, heavy snow will be stacking up atop a myriad of snow surfaces including: wind crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and soft, light snow. This heavy storm snow will feel "upside down" on some of these existing snow surfaces and will create sensitive storm slabs. Storm slabs will be found across all aspects above the rain/snow line (7-7500'). As snow stacks up Sunday afternoon, give a wide berth around slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Sensitive storm slabs combined with wet loose avalanches will make it very challenging to travel safely in avalanche terrain.

    (12/21/2022)

    Small, natural slab avalanche along the side of the road

    Photo: Halcom

Avalanche Discussion

An atmospheric river is bringing warm and wet weather to the West Central Mountains today through Monday. Snow levels will begin around 4000', but will quickly rise over 6000' by midday. By the afternoon, things will get spicey out there. 6-16" of heavy, wet snowfall, rising rain/snow levels, and strong south winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions by Sunday afternoon. With multiple avalanche problems on the table and rising rain levels, I would plan to avoid traveling on or underneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees by Sunday afternoon. Strange weather creates strange avalanche conditions. Don't try to outsmart the snow and mountains today. Play it safe and plan for an early day with a high degree of uncertainty.