Bollettino valanghe

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto last year. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Near and east of HWY 75, triggering a large, thick avalanche remains a concern on steep slopes facing the northern two-thirds of the compass. Wet snow avalanches are possible in steep, rocky terrain receiving direct sun—be wary of traveling on or below these slopes, especially later in the day. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    Anticipate loose snow avalanches on very steep, rocky slopes receiving direct sun. Avalanche activity is most likely on S-facing slopes by midday and on W-facing terrain this afternoon. These slides often initiate near the base of trees and rocks, gathering snow and growing in size as they move downhill. Rollerballs, or pinwheels, signify that the snow is heating up, and wet avalanches may soon follow. 

    While most will start small, they will be plenty large enough to knock you off your feet and carry you into unwanted terrain. Even small slides are consequential above terrain traps such as gullies, creeks, and thick timber. Plan your day to avoid lingering under steep, sunny slopes.

    (2/26/2025) Wet loose avalanches on a low elevation W-facing slope in the Warm Springs Drainage. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs exist above widespread, weak layers (facets, surface hoar, crusts, and combinations). Persistent Slab avalanches are most likely in thinner snowpacks around the Wood River Valley. Before triggering an avalanche, you may not experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking and collapsing or whumpfing. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways and break much wider than expected. You are most likely to trigger a dense, 2-4 foot thick avalanche where:

    • The snowpack is less than 4 feet thick—relatively shallower spots may exist where the wind frequently blows, and the slab is not uniformly thick.
    • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass
    • A smaller wind slab or loose snow avalanche overloads the buried weak layers

    (2/18/2025) A skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered this large avalanche. After several turns on the slope, the slide broke above and around them. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. NW @ 8,050'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

A surficial freeze overnight will likely keep wet snow issues at bay this morning. However, with above-freezing temperatures at the upper elevations, the mountains will have a head start on warming, and any surface crusts will quickly break down. As we enter day 3 of warm, sunny weather, many slopes on the southern half of the compass have naturally released. You may not encounter widespread natural avalanches today, but if you do, don’t rule out the possibility of more. A mushy, wet snow surface indicates deteriorating stability, signaling it's time to seek shadier slopes.

The timing of wet snow avalanches can be unpredictable, so be cautious of any slope receiving direct sunlight. Plan your day to avoid traveling on or below steep, sun-drenched slopes—especially later in the day.

East of HWY 75 in the Wood River Valley, where the snowpack remains generally shallow, triggering a large persistent slab avalanche is still possible. This eastern portion of the zone has remained a hot spot for persistent slab avalanches (Sun Mountain, Patterson Pk.)

Regioni coperte