Weather Alert in Idaho

Recent Locations: Clarksville, PA Leechburg, PA New Plymouth, ID

Avalanche Watch issued February 23 at 1:51PM MST by NWS Boise ID

AREAS AFFECTED: Adams, ID; Idaho, ID; Valley, ID

DESCRIPTION: The following message is transmitted at the request of the Payette National Forest Avalanche Center. ...The Payette National Forest Avalanche Center in McCall Idaho has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH... * WHAT...An Avalanche Watch is in effect. Expect very dangerous avalanche conditions to develop over the next 24-48 hours. Heavy snowfall, wind, and rainfall will overload the current snowpack setup. * WHERE...The Salmon River Mountains, the West Mountains, and the surrounding mountain areas. * WHEN...In effect from Mon 12:00 MST to Tue 12:00 MST. * IMPACTS...Natural and human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury people are very likely to occur within 24-48 hours of this issuance. Avalanches may connect across terrain features like ridges or release multiple start zones at once. Additionally, rainfall to 7,000 feet will weaken surface snow and increase the likelihood of larger loose avalanches, as well as avalanches that break deeper within the snowpack. Smaller slopes, such as roadcuts, may also avalanche, depositing a surprising amount of debris on the road below.

INSTRUCTION: Anticipate conditions that dictate staying off and out from below steep slopes - slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended per this upcoming timeframe. Natural and human-triggered avalanches may occur in unexpected or surprising ways, travel farther than anticipated, and impact gentler terrain below. Even small but steep terrain features, such as road cuts or rooftops holding old snow, may be hazardous. Consult WWW.PAYETTEAVALANCHE.ORG or WWW.AVALANCHE.ORG for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center. LAT...LON 4539 11600 4520 11584 4513 11579 4455 11577 4455 11603 4439 11600 4427 11613 4440 11627 4479 11635 4497 11622 4527 11633 4535 11635 4539 11629

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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet

Sleet Next Topic: Snow

Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones, and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.

The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is freezing rain.

Next Topic: Snow

Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.

A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a stratocumulus cloud.

It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do it is usually a light rain or snow.

Next Topic: Stratus Clouds