Snake River Range

Avalanches are unlikely today, as mostly stable conditions exist. Low danger does not mean no danger. Isolated pockets of unstable snow may be found in very steep and wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations. Cracking in the snow around your skis means that you have found one of these pockets. Evaluate the upper snowpack before entering consequential terrain today.

A prolonged dry period beginning on January 10th has created mostly stable conditions across the region. Several inches of new snow fell early Sunday morning (1/25) as a weak weather system brushed past western Wyoming. This dusting created isolated pockets of shallow wind slab in the upper elevations that were reactive to ski cuts. Another dusting of snow with increasing wind is on tap this afternoon and evening with an inch or two possible by sunset. This snowfall shouldn’t be enough to significantly increase the avalanche hazard in the majority of mountain terrain today. However, be on the lookout for small pockets of newly formed wind slab if the timing and snowfall rates differ from the forecast. Very steep terrain near rocks or cliff bands are places where unstable snow is most likely to be found. Keep in mind that a small slide could be enough to knock you off your feet in consequential terrain. 

In general, the upper snowpack has weakened as a result of the prolonged high pressure spell. Facets exist on shaded slopes that are sheltered from the wind. Surface hoar has also been observed on a wide variety of aspects and elevations. Crusts of varying thickness have formed on most solar aspects. These surfaces were just covered by several inches of recent snow and may be buried a few inches deeper by light snowfall this evening. Time will tell if the new snow will help preserve the weak grains below, but tracking changes in the upper snowpack remains important as it will create the primary avalanche concern when the faucet turns on again.