Bulletin d’avalanche

Generally, stable conditions exist throughout our advisory area. Pay attention to warming temperatures throughout the day. The increasing sun angle and strong solar radiation will elevate the hazard of wet loose snow problems as the day progresses on aspects that favor the sun. Encountering shallow winds slabs have become unlikely, though not impossible in upper elevation, leeward terrain features. 

Today's advisory is sponsored by Mile High Powersports in McCall. Thank you for supporting the Payette Avalanche Center.

Low avalanche hazard and high pressure continue to be the dominant theme for 2022. If you're wondering if winter will return this season (don't worry you're not the only one), through at least next weekend, the answer appears to be more sunshine and high pressure. The several inches of snow that graced our advisory area last week was low-density snow coupled with winds from all around the compass. This was just enough to raise the hazard last Tuesday for encountering wind slabs in upper elevation terrain. The avalanche hazard remained at Moderate up until yesterday (Saturday) morning. Today we are transitioning to a low avalanche hazard for the next few days. The likelihood of encountering one of these wind slabs is unlikely, though not impossible. Looking ahead to the next few days, we will be dealing with warmer weather and strong solar radiation.

Our snowpack problems are confined to the upper foot or so and are as follows:

• Wet Loose, it's February, the sun is slowly creeping further up into the sky creating a higher sun angle. What does this mean? The shaded north-facing terrain that was protected from solar radiation in December and January will begin to feel the effects of the sun more with each day.  Temperatures were above freezing from 11 AM to 4 PM yesterday at most of our snotel sites (around 6500'), some saw temperatures as high as 38 F. Temperatures are forecasted to increase through the week. Watch for warming temperatures and solar radiation heating rocks, cliffs, trees, and other objects that may shed snow or create a wet snow hazard. 
• Dry Loose, with the low-density snow we received last week and the cold, clear nights anticipated for the week ahead, you may encounter loose snow (a.k.a sluff) in steeper, north-facing terrain. Watch for light snow traveling easily on or near the surface. Sluff management may become necessary if you find yourself in steeper terrain. 
• Wind Slab, shallow wind slabs were formed last week with the low-density snow we received. Even though encountering a wind slab problem has become unlikely, you should still be on the lookout for certain pockets in upper elevation, leeward terrain. The snow available for transport is decreasing on ridgetops due to previous winds and warming temperatures, however, wind gusts did reach the mid 30's last night at our Granite Mountain weather station.   

*** Check out our Observations Page to see what others are seeing...We are always looking for more Information from snowmobilers and skiers on snow and weather conditions. These observations help our forecasts and they help other users in and outside of the community.

It can be quick with or without a photo…Use the Observations link at the top of the page to submit your observations. If you experience any unfortunate technical issues please email us at [email protected]…Thanks 

***Motorized users, please be aware that there are some areas of the Payette National Forest that are closed to motorized use, some of these closures are to protect wildlife and some are to protect other recreators.  Check out the Winter Travel Map below for details

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd891395.pdf