Lawinenlagebericht

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Warming temperatures today will consolidate the recent storm snow into denser slabs that are resting on a variety of weaker interfaces. These slabs will be thicker and more sensitive at upper elevations where the wind has further condensed the new snow. An avalanche triggered in the storm snow could step down to deeper weak layers, so stick to sheltered, low-angle terrain that’s not connected to steep slopes above to reduce your avalanche risk.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

     New snowfall earlier this week created a fresh set of avalanche conditions, including reactive storm slabs. Although the most recent storm and snowfall tapered off yesterday, human-triggered avalanches remain likely today, especially with the arrival of sunshine and warmer temperatures. Slab depth and reactivity increase with elevation, where snowfall totals were higher and strong west to southwest winds have drifted snow into thicker, more cohesive slabs.

    Expect the most sensitive slabs on the leeward sides of ridgelines and in steep mid-slope terrain features prone to cross-loading. Textured snow surfaces or shooting cracks propagating out from skis or boards are clear signs that wind has stiffened the storm snow. Avalanches failing within the newer storm snow may have the potential to step down into deeper buried weak layers, resulting in a much larger and more dangerous avalanche.

    A skier-triggered avalanche in the Silver-Valley Bitterroots failed within the new storm snow on a steep mid-slope terrain feature where winds had stiffened the slab. 

    January 8, 2026.

    Photo: Izzy Davis

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Since the New Year, the mountains have received 2 to 3+ feet of snow, forming thick slabs now stacked over several weaker layers in the upper snowpack. Buried surface hoar from January 1 and faceted layers associated with late-December rain crusts are currently the most concerning interfaces. These weak layers remain capable of failing and continue to show troubling results in snowpack tests.

    The likelihood of triggering one of these “sleeping dragons” increases in areas where the snowpack is thinner and these weak grains are closer to the surface, yet fractures can still propagate into deeper snow. Common trigger points include rocky outcrops, slab margins, and the backsides of steep rollovers. With the additional load of recent snowfall, avalanches failing on these layers would be large, destructive, and difficult to escape. Given the uncertainty surrounding these buried weak layers, conservative terrain choices are strongly recommended, including avoiding travel on or below steep slopes while moving through the mountains.

     

    Annotated photo of snowpack layers and test results on a northwest aspect near 6,300 feet, with propagating results on the early January surface hoar.

    West Cabinet Mountains, January 9, 2026.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

Avalanche Discussion

After a stormy and snowy start to the month, today marks a transition to dry weather and high pressure. This shift in the weather pattern will bring in a warming trend today, which will have a direct impact on the recent storm snow.

Snowfall since January 2nd delivered 2-3+ feet of snow across the mountains. This snow fell generally right side up, meaning the snow was slightly lighter in density throughout the course of snowfall. This was partly contributed to gradually cooling temperatures. Even though we had a generally right-side-up slab, weaker storm interfaces proved to be sensitive and reactive, resulting in several natural and skier-triggered avalanches. Other red flags were observed, including failures and propagation in snow pit tests with easy to moderate force. Field teams reported shooting cracks and abundant snow transport from strong winds.

Warming temperatures today will consolidate storm slabs even further, creating a more “upside down” slab, where denser snow is resting on weak interfaces. This will keep slab sensitivity elevated, particularly at upper elevations where winds have drifted snow into even thicker and denser slabs. Skier-triggered avalanches remain likely, and conservative terrain choices and careful terrain evaluation will be essential tools if you choose to recreate in the mountains. Do not let the presence of stable weather lull you into steep slopes where dangerous conditions remain.

Beyond the recent storm snow, deeper weak layers are still plaguing the snowpack and are also producing propagating and concerning results in snow pit tests. The greatest layers of concern are buried surface hoar from January 1st, and the deeper but persistent “Grinch crust” that developed from rain on snow during Christmas, which has developed weak snow around it. An otherwise small avalanche triggered in the storm snow could invoke a deeper failure on these weak layers, resulting in a dangerous avalanche that would be difficult to escape.

Above freezing temperatures today at lower elevations may influence the surface snow, and would be exacerbated if the sun pokes through for a prolonged period. Pay attention to changing surface conditions, and avoid travelling below steep gullies and rocky outcrops if the snow surface becomes moist and you observe large pinwheels or see shedding around cliff bands.

Abgedeckte Regionen