Lawinenlagebericht

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

As temperatures rise throughout the day, monitor snow conditions and steer clear of sun-warmed slopes in the afternoon, as the risk of wet avalanches may be increasing. Also, be cautious on steep, high-elevation slopes where fresh wind-drifted slabs rest atop a firm crust. Small pockets of wind-drifted snow at higher elevations near ridgelines or in gullies could still be triggered by a person or machine and may be large enough to knock you over or bury you. If you observe cracking in the snow or notice a recent avalanche on a similar slope, consider adjusting your route.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    2–3

    Cooler, below-freezing temperatures, earlier this week, have refrozen a previously weak and saturated snowpack. Rain and heavy snow from late February have formed a strong rain crust, helping to stabilize the January Drought Layer (JDL) below. While the snowpack is improving, and triggering an avalanche in the persistent slab is unlikely, the problem isn't entirely gone. In shallow, rocky terrain or upper elevations where the rain crust is thinner, triggering the lingering weak JDL grains is still possible. Since these weak layers are now buried 2-3 feet deep, they are harder to affect on skis, but a heavier snowmobile has a greater chance of breaking through and triggering a large avalanche.

    (3/6/2025)

    Hiding near the treeline is an old crown. This avalanche failed in a thinner part of the snowapack, near a thin rocky cliff band.

    Photo: Izzy Davis

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1–2

    Overnight snowfall on March 3 provided a much-needed refresh across the region, delivering a fresh layer of higher-density snow. The Selkirk Mountains received the most snowfall, with around 4 to 6 inches of new snow, while observers reported totals closer to a foot deep at elevations around 7,000 feet. Moderate southwest-to-west winds transported the new snow, forming fresh slabs on leeward-facing slopes—especially below ridgelines and in exposed, cross-loaded gullies.

    These new slabs have settled atop various old snow surfaces but remain particularly reactive where they rest above a dense, hard crust. Signs of instability include cracking within the snow and shooting cracks extending outward from your skis or machine. Additionally, a smooth, rounded snow surface indicates deeper drifts, which could lead to a larger avalanche if triggered.

    The Selkirks are the most likely area to encounter these conditions, as the last storm favored this region, leading to slightly deeper Wind Slabs compared to the Cabinets or Silver Valley.

    (3/5/2025)

    A fresh Wind Slab avalanche (red box) on a northeast-facing slope on Jeru Peak. This slide likely ran early this morning or overnight during a period of heavy snowfall and elevated winds. The new snow sits on a firm crust from last weekend's warm temperatures. Selkirk Mountains. March 5, 2025.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

Avalanche Discussion

Warm weather continues today, but temperatures have been dropping below freezing at night creating a supportable crust layer on the surface of the snow.  As the snowpack adjusts to these changes, so does the avalanche hazard. While cooling temperatures are helping to stabilize the snowpack, the persistent slab problem still lingers. A thick rain crust from late February is becoming increasingly frozen and harder to break through, burying the weak January Drought Layer (JDL) 2-3 feet deep. Even though triggering an avalanche on the JDL is unlikely, in shallower areas, weak grains remain closer to the surface and could still be triggered, especially near rocky outcrops or wind-scoured slopes. Before committing to large, steep terrain, take time to assess how the snowpack is bonding. Observing surface changes based on aspect and elevation as you move through the mountains will help identify safer zones for skiing and riding.

As temperatures rise throughout the day, be mindful of changing conditions on sunny slopes. Warming increases avalanche danger, especially on sun-exposed terrain. By managing the aspects you travel on or below, you can often mitigate the risk. East- and south-facing slopes warm up first, while west-facing slopes heat later in the day. North-facing slopes, however, typically remain shaded this time of year and do not experience the same daily freeze-thaw cycle as other aspects.

**Your observations help us build the next forecast. Share what you see with us and your local backcountry community**

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