Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The recent storm left us with especially dangerous avalanche conditions. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Stay off of and out from below all steep slopes. Avalanches can be triggered remotely—from below, above, and to the sides of steeper terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Parting clouds yesterday revealed the aftermath of the recent snowpocalypse: a widespread and extensive cycle of large natural avalanches. Avalanches were (by far) the most numerous in the Wood River Valley—which had both the weakest snowpack and the greatest storm totals. Countless slides occurred from Eagle Creek south to Hailey and Bellevue, from the valley floor to the ridgetops (Triple Pk, Griffin Butte, Warm Springs, Ohio Gulch, Patterson Pk, and Della Mtn to name but a few). Natural avalanches in the Soldiers were also reported by snowmobilers and Soldier Mountain Cat Skiing. Check out the Media section below for a visual sampling of the activity.

    Some of these slides failed on the December facets that have been a problem all winter. But others broke on persistent weak layers that were on the surface before this recent storm, and possibly on intermediate layers between the two. Wasn't life simple when there was just one weak layer?! 

    It'll take some time to tease out the pattern of new persistent weak layers. While our snowpack may be complex, decision-making is simple. Avoid avalanche terrain. Avoid being on, below, or near steep slopes. 

    (1/30/2021) Persistent slab avalanche near Triple Peaks in the Lake Ck drainage, 8100' NW. Note how this slide over ran the recent ski tracks (appeared to be from during the storm).

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The recent storm brought strong winds along with extensive ammunition for drifting. Yesterday's improved visibility provided some unique examples of what strong, sustained winds can do with several feet of low-density new snow. The drifts, dunes, and scallops formed by the wind may be visually interesting to us, but our weak snowpack is not a big fan. The extensive wind drifting is adding more stress to the persistent weak layers described above, making wind-affected slopes even more dangerous. But now we're just talking different shades of scary, and the travel advice remains the same as for the persistent slab problem: Avoid avalanche terrain.

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION:Warming temperatures and sunshine today are likely to produce natural loose snow avalanches within the recent storm snow. As these sluffs run downhill, they could trigger larger (and much more dangerous) persistent slab avalanches.

    (1/30/2021) Avalanches on E-NE aspects in the Deer Ck drainage. Note the interesting patterns of wind loading

Avalanche Discussion

The AVALANCHE WARNING has expired, but conditions remain especially dangerous throughout most of the forecast area. In comparison to our periods of "normal" elevated avalanche danger, conditions now can affect people who may not normally think about avalanches—dog walkers, out-of-bounds skiers, mountain residents. The avalanche danger is such that the only safe approach is to avoid all avalanche terrain. This means avoiding being on, below, or near steep slopes—whether you're in the backcountry, taking a walk, or just past the ski area boundary rope.

If you're reading this, you likely "get it", but maybe you know someone that doesn't. Conditions are ripe for an avalanche accident. In a small town, avalanche deaths impact us all—nearly everyone is only a few degrees of separation from being an acquaintance. Please help spread the word, and if you see someone ducking the rope on Baldy, don't be afraid to speak up. Maybe you'll save a life.

Be sure to check out Scott's latest Weekend Update to catch up on all the excitement.

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