Bulletin d’avalanche

Bulletin d’avalanche

Payette Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 6 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

The Avalanche Hazard in the West Central Mountains is Moderate today. Natural Avalanches are unlikely, but human triggered avalanches are possible. Evaluate terrain and snow carefully! Persistent slabs up to 2.5 feet deep have formed over weak layers and may be sensitive to the weight of a person. Wind slabs are possible on leeward terrain. Avoid steep, exposed, consequential terrain, and utilize safe travel protocols while enjoying the snow.

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    The mountains have received over 2 feet of new snow this week.  We now have a soft slab about 2-2.5 feet deep that formed over weak snow, which was the result of natural avalanches and human-triggered avalanches Thursday and Friday... This soft slab is resting on a variety of bed surfaces that the new snow is not bonding to.  The rain crust from the 1/12/21 storm, sun crusts, and a combination of surface hoar and near-surface facets formed on the surface of the snow at the beginning of the week.

    Collapsing,  whumping and cracking have been very widespread Friday and Saturday.  Slopes over 35 degrees should be avoided,  or at least evaluated and approached with caution.  Buried surface hoar can be unpredictable, and failover large areas very quickly before you can react.

    Safe travel and mellow terrain choices are cheap insurance right now. 

    Skier triggered avalanche on buried surface hoar Friday (1/29/2021) at Lick Cr Summit.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

     The winds have swirled around and have loaded, and cross-loaded upper elevation slopes in unusual ways. Natural avalanches were observed Friday across much of our area North of McCall. Most slabs have had ample time to bond, but some may have formed over weaker snow near ridgelines.

    Winds were able to easily scour the soft snow from the windward aspects leaving a polished crust and deposit that snow on leeward: E, NE, N, NW, and some W facing slopes.   Watch for stiff drifts and wind slabs on leeward terrain even well below the ridgetops. 

    Make wise choices and Avoid natural terrain traps like gullies.  Pay attention to the consistency and density of the snow under your skis, sled, or moto while you travel through different terrain.  A sudden change in the surface of the snow is a good indicator of wind slab formation.

      

     

    Natural wind slab avalanches were observed Friday...some were blanketed by a couple of new inches of snow.

Avalanche Discussion

There are multiple buried weak layers and crust/facet combinations in the upper portion of our snowpack right now. The addition of new snow and windblown snow on these layers is providing in your face warnings to avoid steep terrain.  Don't ignore red flags like cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanches in any terrain right now.  Stick to lower angle slopes in the backcountry and do not travel without avalanche rescue gear and solid partners.  

If you see or trigger avalanche activity, please take the time to snap a picture and note the approximate elevation and aspect, you can submit an observation on our website. Getting your info helps forecasters and other users get a better picture of the conditions throughout our mountains.

*Also, Please be mindful of other users, and where you are at. There are closures for motorized travel in and around the local ski areas, Granite Mtn, and other areas throughout our region.

***Check out the Winter Travel Map to find out where you can shred on your sled or moto.