Lawinenlagebericht

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
4 · Gross
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Significant snowfall, combined with strong southwest winds, has resulted in an additional 10 to 20 inches of snow accumulating in the mountains above 4,000 feet over the past 24 hours. As snow continues to build up, various weak layers in the upper snowpack are increasing the risk of large, easily triggered avalanches. Natural and human triggered avalanches are very likely today. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    2–3

    Over the past 48 hours, snowfall accumulations have ranged from 10 to 16 inches in the Bitterroots, 10 to 20 inches in the Selkirks, and more than 25 inches in the Cabinets. Over the past 48 hour period, 2 to 3.5 inches of snow water equivalent has been recorded. This substantial new snowfall has formed multiple storm slabs, which are now sitting atop previous storm slabs from earlier in the week. The added snow load is placing significant stress on multiple weak interfaces in the upper snowpack, with stability varying based on aspect and elevation. Moderate to strong southwest winds have actively transported snow into starting zones on the leeward sides of mountains, further elevating the avalanche danger in those areas. Both natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely today on slopes over 30 degrees. 

    (3/16/2025)

    A skier-triggered slide on an east-facing slope around 6400 feet. The slide broke over 300 feet wide and around 2 feet deep, and likely failed at either a recent storm interface or in softer snow above a sun crust. Blue Mountain, Selkirk Mountains. March 16, 2025.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

Avalanche Discussion

While conditions in the towns and valleys may seem unchanged, multiple significant weather systems this week—culminating in last night’s storm—have dramatically reshaped the mountain landscape. Areas above 4,000 feet have received multiple feet of snow, with substantial cornice growth and extensive wind loading due to strong southwest winds. Over the past four days, 3 to 4 inches of snow water equivalent have been recorded on SNOTEL sites around the Panhandle. This is a straightforward and high-risk avalanche scenario. We are not dealing with a avalanche problem that's hard to see or predict such as a deeply buried weak layer that may or may not be reactive. Instead, we have a clear hazard: a large volume of new snow sitting on multiple weak interfaces, all precariously close to failure. Wind-loaded slopes, in particular, are highly touchy. Field crews observed natural avalanches in wind-loaded terrain yesterday in the Roman Nose area, underscoring the severity of the situation. Travel in or near avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

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