Bulletin d’avalanche

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Thu
Alpin
4 · Fort
Limite forestière
3 · Marqué
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
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Points saillants

Snow and wind are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Avalanches will release on their own as wind-blown snow builds thick drifts at upper elevations. You're likely to trigger a large avalanche on many steep slopes, including those mostly sheltered from the wind. You may be able to trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Very Likely
    Taille
    2

    Over a foot of snow and driving wind have built 1-3' thick drifts and slabs at upper elevations. Expect these drifts to be the largest and most sensitive on slopes facing NW-N-NE-E. 

    Look for them near or below ridgelines, along mid-slope ribs, and on aprons beneath chutes. Rapid cornice growth, dunes, or drifts are all signs that the wind has been at work. 

    Today's intense wind-loading will likely cause wind slabs to release naturally. Even if you're in an area sheltered from the wind, it's prudent to avoid the runout of large avalanche paths. These smaller wind slabs may trigger the larger persistent slab avalanches described above.

    (2/22/2026) Isolated wind slab triggered with a ski cut on a small test slope in the Whiteclouds.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    2–2.5

    The weight of recent storm snow is pushing buried weak layers to their breaking point. Natural avalanches are likely today in areas where the wind builds thick drifts. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely and may even occur in areas that are mostly sheltered from the wind. You're most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche on steep slopes that tilt away from the afternoon sun (NW-N-NE-E). It's these aspects that produced the most widespread natural and human-triggered avalanches over the last two weeks, and where our buried weak layers remain the most concerning. 

    Triggered avalanches may be 2-4' thick and release in surprising ways. They can be much wider than expected and be triggered remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.  

    Snowpack cracking and collapsing are clear signs of unstable conditions. The best way to avoid trouble is to give avalanche terrain a wide berth. This includes gentler terrain below steep slopes or under large avalanche paths. 

    (2/21/2026) This avalanche was triggered remotely (from a distance). It failed on weak sugary facets on top of a crust. ESE aspect at 9000'. Baker Creek.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Last night's storm likely produced numerous large slab avalanches at upper elevations. While the brunt of the snowfall is over, moderate to strong W and WNW winds will continue to build slabs in exposed terrain. This rapid loading should be enough to cause additional natural avalanches today and keep the likelihood of human-triggering elevated. 

We're coming off an impressive stretch of human-triggered slides, and by all accounts, this storm has increased those chances. Today is a great day to approach the mountains with curiosity rather than an objective. Let's take a collective step back, choose lower-angle terrain, and be mindful of the slopes above you.

 

Régions couvertes