Lawinenlagebericht

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Two persistent weak layers are buried in the snowpack and will continue to be a concern in steep terrain at Treeline and above. Incoming weather on Saturday night will bring cold temperatures, moderate southwesterly winds and fresh snow. Anticipate the potential for windslabs to build and become more reactive at upper elevations going into Sunday. Steep slopes and wind loaded terrain below ridgelines will be the locations where you will have the highest chances of triggering an avalanche.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The persistent slab at the base of the snowpack is becoming less reactive where the snowpack is deep, but it is still reactive and alive in the Purcells and shallow areas of the snowpack.  The layer of buried surface hoar was stubborn in the Cabinets on Wednesday and Thursday. Observations in the Purcells earlier in the week revealed this layer to be more prone to triggering avalanches. Steep and sheltered openings near treeline will be the locations where you are most likely to find this surface hoar and trigger an avalanche.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslab may be present on northeasterly aspects at upper elevations.  The windslabs we observed this week were not reactive to ski cuts, but is worth being aware of and should be assessed prior to venturing onto steep, exposed terrain. As we move into Sunday, expect these slabs to build and become more reactive with the new snow and moderate winds predicted. These slabs may begin to form on all aspects Sunday as the winds will likely switch to the northeast with the incoming cold front.

Avalanche Discussion

Getting stuck on the snowmobiles was less of an issue this week in the Cabinets, which means the snowpack is starting to settle and gain strength. Good for riding and good for avalanche conditions!  The snowpack is generally healing and will continue to gain strength where it is deep.  In areas where the snowpack is shallow, facets will continue to develop around the November rain crust. Forecasted cold temperatures and minimal snow accumulation in the coming days will likely preserve any persistent weakness, ie.  surface hoar and facets, where they are present.  Windslabs may continue to form in leeward locations and some vigilance may be needed to manage this problem.   

The layer of buried surface hoar is the most likely layer in our current snowpack to fail, which if triggered could cause a step-down avalanche to the deep persistent weak layer.  If this scenario occurs it would be a large avalanche with a potentially catastrophic outcome.  See the photo below of a natural avalanche that occurred earlier this week in the Selkirks.

There is great riding in sheltered terrain and given the variability across the zone, I would personally take a conservative approach to stepping out into exposed terrain where there is a possibility of waking up our "persistent" buried weaknesses. Triggering an avalanche could have detrimental consequences.   Stay safe by taking the time to dig into the snow and look for weak layers at your location.

There are still slots available in IPAC's motorized avalanche Level 1 classes. Follow the link below to learn more!

https://www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org/friends-ipac-avalanche-safety-courses

 

Abgedeckte Regionen