Bollettino valanghe

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
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In sintesi

Triggering a 1-3 foot thick avalanche in wind-drifted snow is unlikely. Unlikely does not mean impossible. Isolated pockets of wind slabs still linger above 7,500 feet, on east aspects, just below ridgelines. Maintain safe travel practices with your group, even during times of low avalanche hazard.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Over the past 7 days, storms brought 2-3 feet of snow (3.5-4.5" SWE) with moderate to strong winds out of the S/SW. This created wind slabs 1-3 feet deep, primarily at upper elevations, on exposed, east-facing aspects, just below ridgelines. This week, we observed recent wind slab avalanche activity that likely peaked sometime on Tuesday (6th). You can view those observations HERE. Evaluate the snowpack as you move into upper-elevation terrain that has been affected by the wind. Rule out the presence of wind slabs before committing to steep slopes.

    Dunes, pillows, and ripples on the snow surface are all indicators that the wind has been transporting snow. Cross loading can occur in terrain features such as gullies, ribs, and rolling terrain traps. If the snow you are moving through is becoming deeper and denser, you're likely moving through wind-deposited snow. Cracks shooting out from your skis or machine are a clear sign of an unstable slab.

     

    (1/7/2026)

    Wind Slab, D1.5, east aspect, ~7700 feet.

    Photo: Payette Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Triggering a large wind slab avalanche has become unlikely. This doesn't mean they have magically disappeared. The sensitivity to triggering has decreased. Therefore, the likelihood of triggering a wind slab has dropped from possible to unlikely. What hasn't changed is the size (1-3 feet deep) and the distribution (above 7,500 feet, exposed, east-facing terrain, beneath ridgelines). Low avalanche hazard from top to bottom does not mean you should let your guard down and highmark and center punch all slopes today. I would rule out the possibility of wind slabs before committing to steep slopes above 7,500 feet. Maintain good travel protocols like: only exposing one person at a time on steep slopes, keeping eyes on your partners, not hanging out beneath steep slopes (like runouts or terrain traps), having a good travel plan with your partners (which terrain you want to go in and which you want to avoid), making sure all members of your group are carrying adequate and functioning rescue gear, and reading the avalanche forecast.

The sun may emerge for a brief period this afternoon. If so, expect small, dry loose point releases around rocks, cliffs, and trees. On steep, shaded aspects, expect dry loose surface snow (sluff) to move with you. These dry loose slides will be small, but could knock you off your feet in consequential terrain. Before committing to big, steep, and consequential terrain, spend a bit of time thinking about the consequences of triggering and being caught in an avalanche in the terrain you are in. Even small slides can have severe outcomes on slopes with cliffs, trees, and terrain traps.

In the past month, we've seen the character of the snowpack across our region diverge significantly with elevation, primarily due to above-average temperatures and rainfall. The snowpack ranges from 7-8 feet (above 7,000 feet) to 2-5 feet (below 6,500 feet). Older weak layers have either a) become deeply buried and compressed in the upper-elevation case, and triggering avalanches on them is unlikely, or b) permeated with rainfall and have formed what is essentially a frozen cement brick of snow. Thus, our primary concern this season has been new snow and wind slabs. Below 6,500 feet, warmer-than-normal temperatures and rainfall have created challenging off-trail travel conditions. Open creeks, bushes, and exposed rocks and logs remain a concern at lower elevations.

If you're out in the mountains, submit an online observation HERE. Even simple snow and weather observations can help keep other users safe and help us craft a more reliable forecast for you.

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